Juventus- and Man United-linked Kim Min-jae opens up on Bayern future | OneFootball

Bayern Munich centre-back Kim Min-jae has made it clear that he's hoping to remain with the Bavarian giants.

The South Korea international has been linked with a move away from Bayern, with clubs such as Juventus and Manchester United reportedly monitoring his situation after he slipped behind Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah in the pecking order.

However, the 29-year-old insists he's happy with his role at the club.

"As a player, just to be with a team like Bayern Munich is a blessing," Kim said at a press conference, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap.

“Last season, I thought I played a lot of matches. I am competing as the third defender (behind Upamecano and Tah), and I know I have no choice but to work hard,” said the centre-back, who added that he has a "good relationship" with both Tah and Upamecano and that he learns "a great deal from them."

“I think the coach will give me a lot of opportunities, and I think I will stay put.”

Sitting alongside Kim, Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany praised the defender's mentality and attitude.

"We have always talked about competition is something that I like personally. It is something that I have known, is something that I have experienced," said the former Belgium and Manchester City defender.

“I have been in the position of Min-jae, Upa and Tah, all in one cycle when I was at Manchester City myself as a defender. The main thing is to have the quality and then afterwards for them to compete to prove on the pitch. What I will give a compliment to Min-jae (about) is that no matter what, he keeps the focus, and he does the talking on the pitch,” he continued.

“In every situation, he has had the right response. His performances have been really good last season for us. You can decide who is one, two, three and four. People always make these rankings, but for me, more importantly, because he performs how he does, everybody else in the position has to be good as well. And that is what I want to maintain in the team, not just in the centre-back position but in every position, if possible,” Kompany concluded.