*This content was translated by AI.View Original
Arsenal, the 'defending champion' of the English Premier League (EPL), is targeting Kim Min-jae (30, Bayern Munich). If the transfer materializes, Kim Min-jae will become the 21st Korean player in Premier League history.
German outlet CF Bayern Insider reported on the 15th (Korean time), citing a statement by reporter Christian Falk, that "Kim Min-jae has officially been added to Arsenal's transfer list."
The outlet cited a chain of injuries within the existing defensive line as the reason Arsenal is seeking a center back in the winter transfer window. Key center back William Saliba is sidelined with a chronic lower back injury, making his return timeline uncertain, and Piero Hincapie recently suffered an ankle injury.
Although Arsenal signed Ezri Konsa last summer, their currently available personnel are limited to Gabriel Magalhaes, Konsa, Christian Mosquera, and Riccardo Calafiori. The outlet explained, "Manager Mikel Arteta, who aims for titles in all competitions, strongly desires to reinforce his defense with a proven defender."
The fact that Maurizio Micheli, the scouting director who personally discovered Kim Min-jae during his time at Napoli, has been working for Arsenal since last year also fueled this transfer speculation. Kim Min-jae joined Napoli in 2022 on Micheli's recommendation and led the club to its first Serie A title in 33 years, earning the league's 'Defender of the Year' award.
Currently, Kim Min-jae has taken a step back from the starting competition at Munich, trailing Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah. However, under Manager Vincent Kompany, he has secured consistent playing time and is serving as a key rotation asset. According to the outlet, the Munich club plans to discuss Kim Min-jae's future soon, and the possibility of a contract renewal proposal remains open.
The outlet conveyed that "while Munich is not actively pushing for Kim Min-jae's sale, there is room to consider it if Arsenal presents an appropriate transfer fee." The transfer fee desired by Munich is around 30 million pounds (approximately 53.5 billion won). Munich may consider a sale on the premise of securing a definitive replacement center back, while also taking into account Kim Min-jae's high weekly wage and his approaching age of 30.
Separately from this transfer speculation, EPL clubs Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as Serie A sides AC Milan and Juventus, have previously shown interest in Kim Min-jae.
Apart from the transfer rumors, Kim Min-jae is facing fierce criticism from football fans due to the recent so-called 'national team retirement uproar.' This controversy, which involves him along with fellow 1996-born core national team players such as Hwang In-beom and Hwang Hee-chan, has caused significant ripples in the Korean football community.
In particular, fans' anger toward Kim Min-jae appears to have spread to his club. Some angry fans have flocked to Munich's official social media accounts, flooding them with malicious comments such as "Retire from the national team quickly" and "Just become a German instead."
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*This content was translated by AI.View Original
