Milan club chasing Bayern Munich star: Is Minjae Kim returning to Italy? | OneFootball

FC Bayern may be faced with a tricky personnel decision next summer. According to the BILD podcast „Bayern Insider“, both Inter Milan and AC Milan are showing concrete interest in centre-back Minjae Kim. The South Korean, who moved to Munich from SSC Napoli in 2023, is still highly regarded in Italy – and could return there.

„Inter and AC Milan are interested,“ confirmed BILD head of football Christian Falk in the podcast. No wonder, as the 28-year-old left a lasting impression in his only season at SSC Napoli. Kim led the southern Italian side to the 2023 championship and was subsequently named the best defender in Serie A, attracting international interest.

„Of course he delivered in Italy,“ explains Tobi Altschäffl. „Both Milan clubs know what they have in him – and they can also pay money.“

Kim still has a contract with FC Bayern until 2028, but after a mixed second year in Munich, his future is open.

Kompany relies on other regulars

Under Vincent Kompany, the distribution of roles in defence has clearly shifted: Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah are set, while Kim is usually only on the bench. Minor injury problems have also slowed him down. „He’s been training with a lot of injuries, but wants to fight his way back into the team,“ reports Altschäffl.

Kompany appreciates the South Korean’s attitude and professionalism, but in terms of play he is not an ideal fit for the system, which focuses on pressing and building from deep. Kim is strong in tackles and headers, but less so in vertical playmaking – an aspect that is crucial to Kompany’s philosophy.

Bayern demand at least 40 million euros

Photo: IMAGO

Bayern would not grant any discounts in the event of a sale. The club transferred around €50 million to Napoli in the summer of 2023 – and would like to recoup a large part of that sum. „If they sell him, a little would have to come in,“ said Falk.

There is plenty of interest from Italy, and the two Milan clubs certainly have the financial means to do so. Kim himself is said not to be fundamentally averse to a move, provided his situation in Munich does not improve by the summer.

A transfer would also give FC Bayern room for manoeuvre for new signings. According to BILD, Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace) and Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund) are being monitored internally.

There is currently neither an official offer nor any indication that Kim will be leaving soon. But one thing is clear: if Kim does not play regularly in the second half of the season, the record champions will be ready to talk in the summer. „If he plays more and plays well, he will create his own market,“ summarises Altschäffl.