Chelsea ‘knock on door’ of £26m Bayern Munich star to discuss summer transfer

Chelsea have opened talks to sign Bayern Munich central defender Kim Min-jae, according to reports in Germany.

Kim has made 106 appearances in all competitions for Bayern since joining the Bundesliga giants from Napoli for €50million (£43.5m) in 2023 – a transfer move that made him the most expensive Asian footballer in history.

In that time, the 29-year-old has proven an invaluable member of the squad and helped Vincent Kompany’s side win both the league title and the German Super Cup last season.

But a combination of injury problems and fierce competition for places means Kim has failed to establish himself as a regular starter at the heart of Kompany’s defence, with Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah both ahead of the South Korean in the pecking order.

The former Napoli and Fenerbahce centre-back has made a total of just 12 starts in the Bundesliga this term. He has also made six substitute appearances for the German champions in the top flight.

Bild reporter Christian Falk last month suggssted that both Chelsea and Tottenham were ‘showing interest’ in Kim ahead of a possible tug-of-war between the two rivals in the summer.

Falk has since provided an update on the situation while talking to CFBayern, revealing how Serie A giants Inter Milan and AC Milan were also circling around the centre-back.

He claims Chelsea have followed up on their initial interest by ‘knocking on the door’ of Kim. However, Bayern insist they are ‘fine with his situation’ and the player himself remains ‘quite comfortable’ in Munich.

Kim is said to have ‘no intention’ of asking about a transfer and forcing his way out of the Allianz Arena.

Falk does, though, stress that Bayern would be prepared to discuss a potential deal if they received an offer of between €30-40million [£26-£34.5m] for Kim at the end of the season.

Though well stocked at the heart of their defence, Chelsea are known to be in the market for a centre-back after losing out to Liverpool in the race for Rennes youngster Jeremy Jacquet in January.

The Blues reportedly agreed personal terms with Jacquet’s camp but were reluctant to cough up the required £60million to prise the highly rated 20-year-old away from Ligue 1.

Kim’s current contract with Bayern runs through to June 2028.

Last month, Kim was left out of Kompany’s squad that went on to defeat Hoffenheim 5-1 victory at the Allianz Arena.

After his side’s resounding win, the Bayern manager confirmed that the South Korea international’s absence had nothing to do with fitness issues.

‘There will be a rotation when everyone’s fit,’ Kompany told reporters when asked to clarify the reason for Kim being missing.

‘It’s not that someone did something wrong. We need healthy competition.’

Kompany was keen to stress that Kim remained central to his plans while adding that the occasional absence here and there ultimately ‘meant nothing’.

‘The first thing I said to the team in January was that we have seven games in 20 days, so everyone will play and feel they’re a part of it,’ the Belgian added.

‘Kim started the last game but because we did well in the Champions League, we’ll have fewer games in February, so we’ll have to make less changes. Then, in March, we’ll be in full gas again.

‘Now this month, it’s about being professional and winning our games. Next month everyone will feel included again.

‘Leaving someone out means nothing, it’s just a decision you have to make – there will be another one and then another. Today, it was Kim and next time you’ll ask me about someone else.’

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