The name surfaced again. This time it's Juventus. Italy's attention toward Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich) is once again heating up in earnest.
La Gazzetta dello Sport of Italy reported on the 15th (Korea time) that Kim Min-jae, once called the emperor of Napoli, is also included on the Juventus recruitment list being drawn up by Director General Damien Comolli.
It is said to be a card that they have already tested internally several times, not just a simple level of interest. In particular, with talk even of a possible reunion with Luciano Spalletti, who brought out the best in him at Napoli, it is emerging as another variable in this summer's transfer market.
Juventus's reason for wanting Kim Min-jae is clear. He is a defender whose abilities have been proven. Kim Min-jae dominated Serie A wearing Napoli's shirt in the 2022-2023 season.
As Napoli finally won the league after a long wait, Kim Min-jae played a central role in the defense and was regarded as one of the league's top center backs. His performance at the time was not simply a success story. It was a decisive move that changed the balance of power at Napoli.
And at the center of that was coach Spalletti. Coach Spalletti maximized Kim Min-jae's strengths and elevated him to the ranks of Europe's elite defenders.
Aggressive defending, wide coverage, and the ability to build from the back all came alive, and Kim Min-jae showed overwhelming presence on the Serie A stage. That is why his Napoli period is still the first mentioned as his career high.
From Juventus's perspective, they want to recreate that combination. Moreover, the need to reorganize the defense is clear. The possibility of key defender Gleison Bremer leaving has been repeatedly raised.
If Bremer's move to the EPL happens, finding a replacement will be essential. That is the background to Juventus keeping an eye on Kim Min-jae. He is a card that provides experience, class and adaptation to Serie A.
The problem is the practical conditions. The outlet also reported that there have been several exploratory approaches already despite the financial burden, saying, "There are no concrete negotiations yet, but several exploratory checks have already been made despite the financial burden."
It added, "Kim Min-jae recently wants a change as his playing time at Bayern has decreased more than expected and he has been staying on the bench more often. Bayern is also prepared to respect the player's wishes."
In the end, the key is money. Kim Min-jae is known to be receiving more than 10 million euros (about 17.4 billion won) including bonuses at Bayern.
For Serie A clubs that is by no means a light sum. This is why Juventus is considering a loan signing in its initial plans. The calculation is to approach it in a way that shares the burden first rather than a full transfer.
Of course, for now it is closer to a hopeful plan from Juventus. It is not certain that Kim Min-jae would really prioritize reunification with coach Spalletti. Interest from EPL clubs continues as well.
But one thing is clear. The name Kim Min-jae still carries strong weight in the European transfer market. And Juventus wants to pull that name back into Serie A. This summer, signs indicate Kim Min-jae's destination may heat up again.
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