FC Bayern is still quite active in the transfer market when it comes to departures. Joao Palhinha is headed to Benfica, and Bryan Zaragoza may also leave the club, as he is in final talks with Espanyol. Now it has come to light that there was another inquiry regarding a completely different player.
That player is Minjae Kim. The South Korean center back, who joined the record champions from Napoli in 2023 for around 50 million euros, was only the third-choice center back last season.
However, he apparently didn’t feel all that uncomfortable in that role—and still doesn’t. Even though Bayern initially viewed him as a candidate to leave this summer, he didn’t push for a transfer. In the meantime, things have changed considerably.
Kim turns down Arsenal
But first things first. According to a report in the TZ , Arsenal recently inquired about Kim. The Gunners were still looking for a defender but then signed Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa. And for good reason: Bayern’s Kim turned down the English champions.
It wasn’t the first time Kim had turned down a potential suitor. In addition to Manchester United, Nottingham Forest, and Arsenal, the current Europa League champion, Aston Villa, also received a rejection from Kim. The South Korean wants to stay in Munich, and Bayern Munich is now more than happy for Kim to remain as a rotation player.
During preseason, Kim also put in strong performances and demonstrated a high level of fitness and skill. A departure now seems completely out of the question, as neither the player nor the club is considering a transfer. In the summer of 2027, when the defensive core will need to be rejuvenated, the situation could look very different.