Kim Min-jae's whereabouts have once again become a hot topic in the European transfer market. His club, Bayern Munich, is reported to have left open the possibility of selling him ahead of this summer's transfer window.
Bayern Insider reported on the 2nd (KST) that Chelsea is one of the clubs showing interest in signing Kim Min-jae this summer.
Bayern Insider explained that Chelsea FC is reportedly considering signing an additional center back despite already having Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoît Badiashile, Levi Colwill, Jorell Hato, Trevoh Chalobah and Wesley Fofana on its books.
In particular, Colwill is sidelined with a long-term injury, and Hato has mainly been used as a left back. According to BBC reports, Chelsea is looking for a center back who is excellent at building from the back and can use his physical attributes to add defensive solidity.
Kim Min-jae's own wishes are also an important variable. Bayern Insider said Kim Min-jae is currently satisfied with life in Munich, but the club could consider a transfer if a suitable offer comes in.
Munich is satisfied with having Kim Min-jae as a third center-back option, but the club's position is that it could respond flexibly in transfer fee negotiations if the player himself wants to move for playing time.
Christian Falk said the club is prepared to allow Kim Min-jae to leave. He said the possibility of a transfer was already discussed last summer, and the club also recognizes that it would be difficult to recoup the exact amount it paid when it signed him in the summer of 2023.
Kim Min-jae joined Munich in the summer of 2023 for a transfer fee of around 50 million euros (858 billion won). However, Bayern Munich is now likely to demand around 40 million euros (686 billion won), and it is reported that, depending on the negotiation, it may be willing to allow a transfer at around 30 million euros (515 billion won).
Chelsea is not the only club showing interest in the transfer market. Several European clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur, AC Milan, Galatasaray and Beşiktaş JK, are reportedly watching the situation closely.
In reports last month, it was also suggested that Chelsea and Tottenham could enter the race to sign Kim Min-jae, competing with other European clubs.
Kim Min-jae has been classified as the third option in Munich's defense this season, and his playing time has been greatly reduced. This season he has played 25 official matches for 1,278 minutes, recording 1 goal and 1 assist.
This is a significant decrease compared with last season's 43 matches and 3,593 minutes. The change in his standing is cited as the background to the transfer rumors.
The situation did not change much in the recent match either. Kim Min-jae started on the bench in Borussia Dortmund's Bundesliga away match at Signal Iduna Park on the 1st due to the aftereffects of a knee injury. He was brought on as a stoppage-time substitute and played for only about three minutes.
At a fan meeting held earlier in Eichstätt, Germany, Kim Min-jae acknowledged that he had received offers from overseas clubs but drew a line, saying he had never thought about transferring.
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