During the 2026 summer transfer window, FC Bayern parted ways with several players. Many players were sold or loaned out. However, there were also exciting developments involving players who had once been considered for sale.
This was also the case with Minjae Kim. At the start of the summer, the South Korean was considered a candidate for a transfer. But that changed as the summer progressed.
On the one hand, because the South Korean himself did not want to leave, and on the other hand, because he performed at a very high level after returning from the World Cup and thus secured a regular spot in the starting lineup.
Top Club Wants to Make Another Run at Kim
There were definitely offers for the center back this summer. But Kim himself turned down a move to a top English club, namely Arsenal FC.
Aston Villa had also shown interest in the defender over the summer, hoping to bring him to Birmingham as part of their squad restructuring. But Kim turned that down as well; he wanted to remain focused on his goals at Bayern Munich.
As reported in the Bayern Insider podcast, Aston Villa isn’t ready to give up on Kim just yet. Reporter Christian Falk explained: “They already had him on their radar this summer. They’d already looked into him and made inquiries. It just didn’t work out then. But he’ll be back on the table this summer.”
Kim has been one of the standout performers in the first few weeks of the new season at FC Bayern. The defender has put in outstanding performances since the start of the season and has therefore earned regular playing time.
Bayern reporter Heiko Niedderer, however, expressed doubts on the podcast about whether Kim is a long-term fit for the record champions. “I still believe he doesn’t quite fit in at FC Bayern or with their style of play. To me, he’s more of a player who’s just a beast in one-on-one duels and doesn’t bring that calm build-up play that you need to do more of at Bayern,” he explained.
A decision on the player’s future isn’t expected until later in the season. The fact that some clubs are already showing interest this winter doesn’t change that.