Kim Min-jae's Bayern Munich exit looms as top clubs circle

Sky Germany has revealed that Bayern Munich are open to offers for the 28-year-old centre-back, provided a suitable bid arrives. "Kim Min-jae is not considered untouchable at Bayern. While the club are not actively looking to sell him, they would listen to offers this summer," said Sky Sport Deutschland's Florian Plettenberg.

This follows a challenging period for Kim, marked by a dip in form and criticism over his performances, notably during Bayern's recent Champions League quarter-final exit against Inter Milan.

Juventus, Chelsea, and Newcastle United have emerged as the frontrunners for Kim's signature. Foot Mercato reported that Chelsea and Newcastle have already made contact with the player's entourage, with the Premier League duo keen to bolster their defences. "Kim prefers a move to the English top flight," the outlet noted, highlighting his interest in a new challenge after stints in Serie A with Napoli and the Bundesliga with Bayern.

Juventus, meanwhile, are keeping tabs, drawn by Kim's proven track record during Napoli's 2022-23 Scudetto-winning campaign.

Kim joined Bayern from Napoli in July 2023 for a reported 50 million euros, signing a five-year deal. Since then, he has featured in 78 matches across all competitions, but injuries, including Achilles tendonitis, have hampered his consistency.

Bayern's coach, Vincent Kompany, has publicly backed Kim despite the scrutiny. "Kim is an important player for us, and we're focused on helping him perform," Kompany said ahead of Bayern's clash with Inter Milan. However, posts on X suggest Bayern are planning for a potential sale, with one update from @iMiaSanMia stating, "If a club pays around 50 million euros, Kim is a candidate to be sold this summer."

The interest from Chelsea aligns with their strategy to add experienced defenders to Enzo Maresca's squad, while Newcastle are seeking to strengthen their backline amid Premier League ambitions. Juventus, under Thiago Motta, view Kim as a potential reunion with his Napoli glory days.

Bayern, per X posts, could reinvest any transfer fee into targets like Bournemouth's Dean Huijsen, whose 60 million euro release clause is under consideration.

Kim's future remains uncertain, but with top clubs circling, a blockbuster move could be on the horizon. Bayern fans will hope their defensive stalwart regains his form, but the transfer rumour mill is already in overdrive.