Several clubs are inquiring about Minjae Kim. Bayern is planning talks with the center back and already has candidates lined up in case he leaves.
Minjae Kim’s future at FC Bayern could become a key factor in the team’s roster planning. According to information from the BILD podcast “Bayern Insider,” Galatasaray, Besiktas, and Juventus have recently inquired about the South Korean center back. For their part, the Munich club is already looking into potential replacements.
However, a departure has not yet been decided. First, club officials want to sit down with Kim and discuss his future. His contract with the German record champions runs through 2028. The defender’s own career aspirations and Bayern’s long-term plans for him are likely to play a central role in these discussions.
The inquiries indicate, for now, that Kim is in demand on the international transfer market.
Araújo and Jeltsch are on Bayern’s list
According to the report, Bayern has compiled a list of younger center backs in case of a change in the defensive core. The candidates reportedly include Tomás Araújo of Benfica and Finn Jeltsch of VfB Stuttgart. Both names have been linked to the Munich club for some time.
The rumors surrounding Araújo have intensified recently. The 24-year-old is among the players Bayern is monitoring as a potential defensive reinforcement. Previously, a potential signing had been linked to possible departures from the current roster. However, the Portuguese player is under contract with Benfica through 2031.
The 20-year-old Jeltsch is another Bundesliga pro on their radar. The Stuttgart native has established himself at VfB and is considered an interesting prospect for the future. A transfer would likely be costly, however: as early as September, reports surfaced about the Swabians’ high asking price.
On the field, Kim remains part of the competition with Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah. Under Vincent Kompany, the central defense needs both reliable performances and alternatives to handle the packed schedule. Accordingly, a potential departure would have to be factored into squad planning.
For now, therefore, the focus is on talks with Kim. Only once his future is clarified will it become clear whether Bayern will actually need to draw on their prepared list of candidates for a transfer.