Son Heung-min's endorsement and Bayern's high valuation complicate potential move

[OSEN=Reporter No Jin-ju] Reports have surfaced that Tottenham Hotspur is advancing in its pursuit of Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae (29).

The British media outlet 'TeamTalk' reported on the 28th (local time), "Tottenham is reviewing the acquisition of Bayern's central defender Kim Min-jae." Citing remarks from transfer market expert Dean Jones, it added, "Chelsea and Liverpool are also closely monitoring Kim Min-jae's situation. Inter Milan and AC Milan have already entered the race," emphasizing that multiple clubs are showing interest.

Kim Min-jae transferred from Serie A's Napoli to Bayern in 2023. His contract runs until the summer of 2028. Last season, he made 27 Bundesliga appearances and 13 Champions League matches, establishing himself as a key starter. However, he faced criticism over excessive usage toward the end of the season.

This season, the situation has reversed. Since Vincent Kompany took over as manager, Jonathan Tah and Dayot Upamecano have solidified their positions as the primary center-back duo. Kim Min-jae has only started two league matches and one Champions League game, spending significantly more time on the bench.

Dean Jones stated, "Tottenham's interest is moving into a concrete phase," but added, "Realistically, Kim Min-jae's transfer is more likely in the summer of 2026. Bayern is unlikely to release a defender mid-season."

Bayern invested approximately 50 million euros (around 74.2 billion Korean won) when acquiring Kim Min-jae in 2023. Jones noted, "Bayern is expected to demand a transfer fee similar to the original amount."

'TeamTalk' also highlighted Son Heung-min's influence. In an August interview, Son Heung-min said, "Kim Min-jae is my favorite defender. He demonstrates exceptional ability both in the national team and on the European stage." The analysis suggests Son's trust could positively impact Kim's potential move to Tottenham.

Currently, Tottenham possesses a diverse pool of central defenders, including Cristian Romero, Micky van der Ven, Radu Dragusin, Kevin Danso, Ben Davies, and Kota Takai. However, Jones emphasized, "Tottenham remains determined to strengthen its defensive line."

Meanwhile, the Italian media outlet 'TuttoJuve' reported that Tottenham is considering the acquisition of Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu. Another outlet, 'TBR,' mentioned that Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa is also on Tottenham's transfer radar.

Tottenham Advances in Pursuit of Bayern's Kim Min-jae