In a season marked by physical sacrifice and administrative uncertainty, Kim Min-jae's journey at Bayern Munich has taken a concerning turn. Once a pillar of defensive strength for Napoli’s Scudetto-winning side, the South Korean international now finds himself at the centre of a delicate storm — battling injury, unwanted transfer speculation, and the risk of further damage at the FIFA Club World Cup.

A Lingering Injury and Unusual Recovery Timeline

Kim Min-jae has been carrying a persistent Achilles tendon issue since last October — a condition that Bayern’s staff allowed him to play through until late April. Only after months of pain and compromised performance was he finally removed from competitive action. Further medical consultations in South Korea revealed that he also developed a cyst in his left foot, a symptom indicating excessive stress and overuse.

According to South Korean media Footballist, the cyst first appeared during the height of Kim’s pain in April and not recently, as misreported by some German outlets. Unlike standard cases of tendinitis, Kim experienced sharp pain after sleep, and fluid buildup was observed — an uncommon presentation that underscores the severity of his condition. The medical consensus? At least 11 weeks of full rest, with a return to training not expected until mid-July.

Despite this, Bayern included Kim in their squad for the Club World Cup in the United States, raising eyebrows about the club’s intent. The tournament concludes by 14 July — just around the time Kim is scheduled to begin light training, not competitive matches. The decision to fly him to the U.S. suggests Bayern may be seeking second opinions from their own medical staff, distrusting outside assessments and hoping to expedite his return.

A Risky Call: Bayern’s Desperation Breeds Doubt

The urgency seems to stem from Bayern’s centre-back crisis. Eric Dier has left for AS Monaco, Dayot Upamecano is injured, and new signing Jonathan Tah was initially unavailable for the Club World Cup due to contract timelines. Only by paying an early fee to Bayer Leverkusen were Bayern able to add Tah to the travelling squad.

Even so, rushing Kim into action contradicts medical advice and risks aggravating an already delicate injury — a move that could impact not just his preseason, but his long-term availability. Given the level of mismanagement already observed, such a decision would mark the third major misstep by the club regarding Kim: extended overuse, public devaluation through transfer leaks, and now, premature match pressure.

Transfer Noise and Strategic Media Leaks

The noise around Kim Min-jae's potential departure has been fuelled largely by Florian Plettenberg of Sky Sports Germany, who has repeatedly reported — with minimal new information — that Kim is “a clear candidate for sale.” His latest post on X (formerly Twitter) merely repeats earlier assertions: if a suitable offer arrives, Bayern would be open to a sale. No figures, no clubs, no progress — just recycled language.

It raises legitimate questions about Bayern’s internal media strategy. this type of leak often reflects an attempt by select individuals at the club to publicly soften the ground for an eventual sale. In this case, it appears sporting director Max Eberl is the strongest advocate for Kim’s departure. However, not all voices within the club agree.

As reported by Footballist following communication with Philipp Kessler of tz Munich, there are high-ranking Bayern figures — including manager Vincent Kompany — who still value Kim highly. Kompany’s trust in the Korean defender is evident in how frequently he was used, even while carrying injury.

PSG and Milan: Persistent Suitors

Two clubs have emerged as serious contenders should Kim leave: Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan. Both have long-standing interest in the player, and both are overseen by technical directors who previously attempted to sign him.

At PSG, Luis Campos — who now has renewed influence after the club’s historic treble-winning campaign — has admired Kim since his Fenerbahçe days, long before his breakout season at Napoli. With veteran defenders like Presnel Kimpembe and Milan Škriniar struggling through injuries or form, PSG are actively looking for top-level reinforcements. While negotiations for Bournemouth’s Ilya Zabarnyi are underway, Fabrizio Romano has reported that a second centre-back signing is planned. If so, Kim remains a logical candidate.

AC Milan, meanwhile, have recently appointed Igli Tare — formerly of Lazio — as their new sporting director. Tare also tracked Kim during his time in China, but a deal never materialised due to non-EU quota restrictions and financial limitations. Now with more authority at Milan, and a squad in need of defensive restructuring, Tare may look to finally secure the defender he long rated.

However, Milan’s limited financial capacity compared to PSG means they may struggle to meet both the transfer fee and wage demands associated with Kim.

Bayern’s Dilemma: Undervalue Now, Pay Later

The core of the issue remains Bayern’s own role in devaluing their asset. Kim’s underwhelming form last season was largely due to injury, but little of that context has been acknowledged in local media coverage. As a result, Bayern now face the possibility of receiving underwhelming offers for a player whose reputation was tarnished largely by mismanagement.

If the club does sell — and fails to secure a defender with equal or greater qualities — they may find themselves worse off, having traded one of Europe’s most technically complete centre-backs for budget-friendly replacements. As Footballist noted via Kessler’s insight, there are internal doubts at Bayern about whether Jonathan Tah is truly an upgrade, or simply another rotational option.

Should Kim stay, a reset under Kompany — who values ball-playing defenders and has already shown faith in him — could still revitalise his Bayern tenure. But for now, the handling of his injury, the conflicting views within the club, and the looming risk of rushed Club World Cup involvement reflect a troubling pattern.

Kim Min-jae is not just fighting to regain his fitness. He is navigating a political minefield — one that could define the next chapter of his career.

Premier League Interest Grows — But PSG Could Still Steal the March

While Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan have made their admiration for Kim Min-jae well known, Football-Asian.com understands that several Premier League clubs competing in European competitions — including Liverpool, Chelsea, and Newcastle United — have also expressed concrete interest in the South Korean defender. Meanwhile, Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr has already made a bold move, tabling a €50 million bid in an attempt to lure Kim eastward.

Despite this, AC Milan’s pursuit appears unlikely to materialise. The Rossoneri will not be competing in Europe next season, which significantly diminishes their appeal, especially given Kim’s consistent presence at the highest level since arriving in Europe. Similarly, while clubs such as Inter Milan, Juventus, and former employers Napoli have been loosely linked, a return to Serie A is seen as improbable. Kim is said to maintain strong affection for Napoli and its supporters, having helped the club to a historic Scudetto, but a return to Italy is not currently viewed as his preferred option.

Football-Asian.com understands that if Kim does leave Bayern, his top priority is a new challenge in the Premier League. However, a number of factors remain fluid — including which English clubs formalise their interest, the financial terms offered, and the timeline of any official approach.

PSG, fresh off a continental treble, remain serious contenders. With Luis Campos continuing to lead their recruitment strategy, the French champions may yet present a compelling long-term project that could tempt Kim — just as previous career decisions saw him opt for Beijing Guoan, Fenerbahçe, Napoli, and eventually Bayern Munich over more conventional paths.

In short, Kim Min-jae's future remains wide open. Bayern had initially considered lowering the asking price to around €30 million, but with competition heating up, that stance may soon shift. More definitive movement is expected after the conclusion of the Club World Cup, when the dust settles and the real negotiations begin.