Kim Min-jae of FC Bayern Munich, a prestigious German club, enters the 2023-24 season ‘Team Presentation’ event to be held at the Allianz Arena in Germany on the 23rd to an applause of 45,000 spectators. AP Yonhap news
“Monster defender” Kim Min Jae (27) held a welcoming ceremony to the applause of 45,000 Bayern Munich fans. Kim Min Jae, who joined the club with “special treatment”, is garnering attention as the most anticipated player. Now with top defender Kim Min Jae, Bayern Munich’s next challenge is to hire top striker Harry Kane (30, Tottenham). The focus is on whether Kane can become Kim Min Jae’s colleague after Song Heung Min.
Munich held a “Team Presentation” event for the 2023–24 season at the Allianz Arena on the 23rd (local time) and introduced the male and female players of the professional team, including new players. This is the place where players and fans meet to welcome the new season.
Kim Min Jae appeared in the Munich uniform with the number 3. When the announcer introduced him as “Monster (Monster) Kim Min Jae”, the crowd that filled the stadium enthusiastically applauded. Kim Min Jae also waved and greeted. The celebrations for the 10th anniversary of the 2012-13 treble (three crowns, Bundesliga, German Cup and UEFA Champions League) were also attended this year by Munich legends such as Philipp Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger, as well as former coach Jupp Heynckes, who was head coach at the time.
Kim Min Jae of Bayern Munich, a prestigious German club, laughs and talks with fellow Matthias de Licht at the Team Presentation event for the 2023-24 season held at the Allianz Arena in Germany on the 23rd. Reuters Yonhap News
The German team Bayern take a group photo during the “Team Presentation” held on the 23rd at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany. Kim Min Jae stands in the middle of the back row. AP Yonhap news
Kim Min Jae gets special treatment as a top-notch player. Munich sent a medical team to conduct a medical examination of Kim Min Jae, who stayed in Korea last month for basic military training. Following the official announcement last week, Min Jae Kim underwent a medical examination, arrived at the airport and moved to the club, was filmed and posted on the website. He continued to be addressed in special ways, such as holding a separate press conference.
Kim Min Jae has signed a five-year contract with Munich until 2028. The buyout (minimum transfer fee) paid by Munich to Napoli is known to be 50 million euros (approximately 71 billion won). This is the highest amount for an Asian player and the third highest transfer fee in Munich.
Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League (EPL). AP Yonhap news
Munich’s remaining task is to recruit Kane. German media Kicker and Bilt reported that day that “Munich is in the third round of negotiations to sign Kane from Tottenham”. It is said that the annual salary will be more than 20 million euros (approximately 28 billion won), which Sadio Mane received when he moved from Liverpool (England) to Munich.
Munich has been making love calls to Kane since striker Robert Lewandowski left for Barcelona, Spain last year. I sent two offers to Tottenham this summer, initially offering a transfer fee of 70 million euros (about 100 billion won), but increasing it to 80 million euros (114 billion won). Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy insisted on £100 million (about 165 billion won) and refused them all. But this time the atmosphere is different. The British Telegraph reported that “Tottenham owner Joe Louis instructed Levy to sell Kane if he could not renew his contract.”
Yoonyoung Kang the reporter kiss@hankookilbo.com