Bayern Munich have firmly turned down Arsenal's official inquiry regarding a transfer for 29-year-old South Korean central defender Kim Min Jae. After receiving an immediate rejection from the German champions, the Gunners shifted focus to the domestic market, securing the signing of Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa for around €60 million.
According to German publication Absolut Bayern, other Premier League clubs including Manchester United, Nottingham Forest, and Aston Villa were also interested in the defender this summer, but Bayern blocked all incoming offers. While sporting director Max Eberl had considered the possibility of letting the player go in summer 2025, that prospect is now completely off the table.
Bayern's head coach Vincent Kompany regards the South Korean as an indispensable part of his defensive setup. During a pre-season tour in Asia on Jeju Island, he publicly described the defender as a "true defensive monster with incredible speed." Kim Min Jae, for his part, is fully focused on performing in Munich and aims to continue the fight for a starting spot in the Bayern line-up.
