Milan clubs circling: will Minjae Kim return to Italy? | OneFootball

FC Bayern may be facing a tricky personnel decision next summer. According to the BILD podcast “Bayern Insider”, both Inter Milan and AC Milan have shown concrete interest in center-back Minjae Kim. The South Korean, who transferred from SSC Napoli to Munich in 2023, still enjoys the highest regard in Italy—and could return there.

“Inter and AC Milan are in the race,” confirms BILD football chief Christian Falk in the podcast. No wonder, since the 28-year-old left a lasting impression in his only season at SSC Napoli. Kim led the southern Italians to the championship in 2023, was subsequently named Serie A’s best defender, and thus attracted international interest.

“He certainly delivered in Italy,” explains Tobi Altschäffl. “Both Milan clubs know what they would be getting with him—and they can pay the 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 defensive hierarchy has clearly shifted: Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah are the first choices, while Kim usually finds himself on the bench. There have also been minor injury issues that have further slowed him down. “He often trains while carrying knocks, but he wants to fight his way back into the team,” reports Altschäffl.

Kompany appreciates the South Korean’s attitude and professionalism, but in terms of playing style, he doesn’t fit perfectly into the pressing and deep build-up system. Kim is strong in duels and aerial battles, but less so in vertical build-up play—a crucial aspect in Kompany’s philosophy.

Bayern demands at least 40 million euros

Photo: IMAGO

If sold, Bayern would not offer any discounts. The club paid around 50 million euros in transfer fees to Napoli in the summer of 2023—and wants to recoup a large part of that sum. “If they sell him, they’ll want to get a decent amount back,” says Falk.

There is plenty of interest from Italy, and both Milan clubs have the financial means. Kim himself is reportedly not fundamentally opposed to a move, provided his situation in Munich does not improve by the summer.

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

Currently, there is neither an official offer nor a tendency towards an imminent departure. But one thing is clear: if Kim does not get regular playing time in the second half of the season, the record champions will be open to talks in the summer. “If he plays more and plays well, he’ll create a market for himself,” summarizes Altschäffl.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.