Liverpool’s Kim Min-jae Bid Sparks Gakpo Transfer Twist: Could Bayern’s Interest Open the Door?

According to an exclusive report from CaughtOffside, Liverpool are keen on signing Bayern Munich centre-back Kim Min-jae this summer. The 28-year-old South Korea international is reportedly open to leaving the Allianz Arena, with Bayern’s asking price believed to have dropped from €50 million to around €35 million. Liverpool’s interest dates back to Kim’s days at Napoli, and they now look set to reignite their pursuit.

Newcastle United and Chelsea have also been linked with Kim, while Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan are monitoring the situation closely. However, it’s Liverpool who seem most determined to bring the defender to Anfield.

In a separate report by Christian Falk, chief editor at Bild, Bayern’s interest in Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo has also come to light. Gakpo is said to be open to the idea of signing a new deal at Anfield, which has left Bayern unsure if they’re simply being used as a negotiating pawn. Historically, under Uli Hoeneß, Bayern rarely had a Plan B when it came to transfers, but Max Eberl’s approach is different — multiple targets are now on their radar. Gakpo is among them, but he’s not the top priority. Bayern know how difficult it is to lure players away from Liverpool, so they’re carefully exploring other options in the market.

This intertwining of interests — Liverpool’s pursuit of Kim and Bayern’s eye on Gakpo — has sparked speculation of a potential swap deal in some quarters. However, Football-Asian.com suggests that Liverpool have no intention of letting Gakpo leave. Instead, they are likely to push for a cash-only agreement to sign Kim Min-jae outright.

With Liverpool’s defensive rebuild gaining momentum, fans will be eager to see if Jurgen Klopp’s side can land the South Korean star — and whether Bayern’s Gakpo gamble will ultimately pay off.