Arsenal are reportedly plotting a move to sign Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae in the January transfer window, according to reports in Germany.
The 29-year-old joined Bayern from Napoli for €50million (£43.5m) in 2023, a fee that made him the most expensive Asian footballer in history. He has since made 122 appearances for the Bundesliga giants, winning two Bundesliga titles, two German Super Cups and the DFB-Pokal.
Limited game time at Bayern
Injury problems and fierce competition for places have prevented Kim from establishing himself as a regular starter under Vincent Kompany, with Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah both ahead of him in the pecking order. Kim has been limited to just two starts in the German top flight this term, and speculation has mounted that he could seek a fresh challenge elsewhere.
According to German newspaper Bild, Kim and Alphonso Davies are both 'on the verge of leaving Bayern', with Arsenal pursuing the latter as an 'emergency' winter signing. Piero Hincapie is expected to be sidelined for several weeks with an ankle injury, and the English champions are said to be 'hunting' Kim as they scour the market for reinforcements.
Arsenal's defensive concerns
William Saliba has also been out of action since the World Cup due to a back problem, prompting Arsenal chiefs to make contingency plans in case the squad suffers further setbacks. Kim's name has been 'brought into the mix' by Maurizio Micheli, the defender's former 'mentor' at Napoli, who now works as Arsenal's head of scouting.
Bayern may be open to selling both Kim and Davies to boost funds for January additions, though a winter move for Kim is still deemed 'unlikely' at this stage. The report also raises question marks over his suitability for Premier League football.
Contract and past interest
Kim's current contract at the Allianz Arena runs until June 2028. Reports in the summer indicated Chelsea had 'knocked on the door' to gauge his availability, while Tottenham, Manchester United, Aston Villa, AC Milan and Inter Milan have also been credited with interest in the past.
Despite his peripheral role, Kompany has praised Kim's professionalism: 'I had many situations last season where I thought: maybe now is the right moment to speak with Kim. Sometimes I spoke with him, sometimes I left him alone. In every situation he reacted correctly and gave everything in training and on the pitch.' He added: 'People don't even know that he also has an incredible sense of humour. It's really true. Whenever a player is standing next to Kim, they start laughing. That is perhaps the side of him that people don't know.'
Bayern's director of sport Max Eberl lauded Kim as one of three 'world-class' centre-backs at the club: 'Now there are three clear centre-backs, all three world-class, you simply have to say that. I think quite a few clubs are envious of us for the quality of these three players.'
