Min-Jae Kim leaves SSC Napoli
“Monster” comes to FC Bayern for 50 million euros
7/18/2023 5:43 p.m
Lucas Hernández has moved to Paris, and FC Bayern is investing the proceeds from this transfer in his successor in defense. Min-Jae Kim is moving from SSC Napoli to Bundesliga record champions. This is made possible by an opt-out clause.
As expected, Bayern Munich signed the desired defender Min-Jae Kim from SSC Napoli on its shopping spree. The 26-year-old South Korean signed a five-year contract with the German soccer champions until 2028. Kim costs around 50 million euros. The sum was set in an exit clause in the contract, which actually ran until 2025.
Kim has “made a great development,” said Bayern boss Jan-Christian Dreesen, “he impresses with his physical presence as well as with his mentality and speed.” The newcomer, who is to begin preparations at Tegernsee from now on, called FC Bayern “every footballer’s dream”. He also wants to play there as much as possible and “win as many titles as possible”. In Munich he will wear jersey number 3.
Kim, nicknamed “Monster” because of his 1.90 meter height, is set to replace Frenchman Lucas Hernández who has been transferred to Paris St. Germain. The 49-time national player became Italian champion with Napoli last season.
Kim has made a brilliant rise in recent years. In the summer of 2021, he moved from BJ Guoan (China) to Fenerbahçe Istanbul for three million. A year later, the jump to SSC Napoli followed. In Italy, Kim has become a regular at the reigning champions, most recently earning Defender of the Season and Team of the Year awards.
Biggest task is still unsolved
Most recently, Kim had to do his military service in South Korea. That’s why the medical check did not take place in Munich as usual, but in the home of the defender. After Konrad Laimer (RB Leipzig) and Raphael Guerreiro (Dortmund), who came on a free transfer, he is the third new signing from Munich. In addition, FCB presented a new sports director in the person of Christoph Freund. Freund arrives from Red Bull Salzburg and will start on September 1 as the successor to the sacked Hasan Salihamidžić.
The seven-person transfer committee of the record champions still faces the most difficult task: superstar Harry Kane is to become the king transfer. There is said to be an agreement with England’s team captain, but Tottenham Hotspur has so far resisted. The transfer fee for Kane is likely to exceed the 100 million euro mark.
Right-back Kyle Walker from Manchester City, who is said to have also promised Bayern, is also in Munich’s sights. He could replace Benjamin Pavard, who was willing to emigrate. In addition, there have recently been rumors surrounding FC Bayern that the former BVB candidate Edson Álvarez has also come into focus. According to “Bild”, the Munich team is still looking for a midfield clearer, which would speak for the strong tackle Álvarez.