Kim Min-jae remains on AC Milan’s radar as a potential defensive reinforcement, and his future at Bayern Munich is uncertain.
Where will Kim be at the start of next season? Calciomercato.com reports that it is a legitimate question, especially since the Korean centre-back continues to be a non-starter under head Vincent Kompany.
The Belgian kept him on the bench for the full 90 minutes in the crucial first leg of the quarter-final against Real Madrid, as he did in the first leg of the round of 16 against Atalanta. So, talk is growing that he could leave Allianz Stadium at the end of the season, and return to Italy.
Call and response
The report adds that the three top clubs in Italy all want Kim. Massimiliano Allegri’s Milan are looking for a reliable and experienced central defender, Juventus want another leader to play alongside Bremer and Inter’s defence need signings given Bastoni, Acerbi and De Vrij may all leave.
The issue for each of the three clubs is his salary. Kim Min-jae currently earns around €7m net per season, which with bonuses can reach €9m. These figures would currently put him in the top 10 highest-paid players in Serie A.
It’s clear that something could happen this summer, though perhaps less so regarding Serie A, unless he were to take a big pay cut. The rumours certainly flatter the former Napoli player, who reiterated to FcInterNews how important and happy the memories of his time in Italy are for him.
“I can say that my experience at Napoli was really positive for me, I remember it with particular pleasure. As for the future? I’m focused on what I just said. Nothing to add,” he said.
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