Manchester United monitor Kim Min-jae as summer transfer strategy balances midfield and defence
Despite prioritising midfielder Carlos Baleba, Manchester United maintain interest in Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae, who remains committed to his current club despite reduced playing time.
Manchester United are reportedly continuing to monitor the transfer situation of Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae, even as the club prioritises the acquisition of midfielder Carlos Baleba. According to reports from CFBayern Insider, the South Korean international remains on the list for Manchester United, with the club keeping a close eye on his status at the German champions during the summer window.
Manager Michael Carrick may seek to strengthen the defensive line with a new centre-back, positioning Min-jae as a potential option. This potential move comes after Manchester United suffered a 4-2 defeat to AC Milan in a pre-season friendly in Wroclaw, where the team conceded four goals, including three close-range efforts, marking a challenging start to the pre-season preparations.
At Bayern Munich, the 29-year-old defender has slipped behind Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah in the pecking order under manager Vincent Kompany. Last season, Min-jae made 19 Bundesliga starts and six substitute appearances, along with eight Champions League appearances. Kompany views Min-jae as a critical squad option for depth, particularly given Bayern's target of winning the Champions League this term, a goal the head coach has clearly formalised.
Despite his reduced role, Min-jae has expressed a desire to remain at Bayern Munich and push for a starting spot rather than forcing a transfer. Christian Falk, writing for CFBayern Insider, confirmed that the defender is content with his current role and sees a chance to re-enter the starting XI through consistent performance or if injuries affect his teammates. This stance provides Bayern Munich with a stable defensive option while they navigate their European ambitions.
Bayern Munich is reportedly open to negotiations for an offer between £26m and £34.5m for the defender, who holds a contract with the club until 2028. The club is aware that it cannot rely on just two senior centre-backs for an entire season, making high-quality options like Min-jae essential for their competitive strategy.
Interest in Min-jae is not limited to Manchester United, as Juventus are also reported to be pursuing the South Korean international. Previous links have also connected the defender with Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, though his current preference to stay at Bayern Munich complicates any immediate transfer.
