Arsenal have put Kim Min-jae on their January shortlist, with Bayern Munich’s third-choice centre-back reportedly known to the Gunners’ own scouting chief.
Bayern’s South Korea international sits behind Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah in Vincent Kompany’s pecking order, yet he remains an important squad option and is getting regular minutes.
Arsenal signed Ezri Konsa in the summer and William Saliba is close to returning to full fitness. Even so, Arsenal are reportedly weighing up more defensive cover for the winter window.
The reason is the injury to Piero Hincapié, which has reopened the conversation about depth at the back.
Kim Min-jae to Arsenal: what Christian Falk says
Christian Falk told CF Bayern Insider that the Gunners are considering the defender as an option. “It is TRUE: Min-jae Kim is officially on Arsenal’s list. I’ve had this news confirmed. It’s partly because of the injury to Piero Hincapié,” Falk said.
He also pointed to a Napoli connection. “The scouting chief, Maurizio Micheli, is the same one who discovered the South Korean during his time at Napoli. Now, he works for Arsenal, which is why he has the centre-back on his radar,” Falk added.
“They are looking for a potential defensive signing for the winter, so perhaps Kim could be sold with the right offer. We have to see what happens!”
Why Kim Min-jae could be available in January
Bayern are not actively looking to sell, but they could listen to an offer at the right price. Kompany and Kim are working well together, and Bayern are planning to hold talks with the player over his future.
A new deal is one possible outcome, given how much game time he is getting. Bayern also did not receive any substantial offers for him in the summer that were worth considering.
What Arsenal’s defensive picture looks like
The Hincapié setback is the immediate trigger. We covered the latest on his recovery only a day ago.
With Konsa signed and Saliba nearly back, a centre-back arrival would be about cover and competition rather than a gaping hole.
Author Opinion
There is little point in Bayern selling a reliable back-up without a suitable replacement, and Kim is happy in Germany. That is a fair argument for the Bavarians to hold firm.
But a move would give him the chance to join another top club, and if Arsenal come with a good offer, the door is not shut. Whether this turns into a formal approach is a question for January.
