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Istanbul football club Fenerbahce is reportedly exploring a move to bring back former defender Kim Min-jae from German giant Bayern Munich, if the German side allows his exit.
According to reports, the Istanbul side has intensified efforts to strengthen its defensive line with an addition alongside Slovakian star Milan Skriniar, and Kim Min-jae has emerged as a top target for the role.
The South Korean international faces limited playing time this season despite not having suffered an injury, as his role at the club has diminished following Bayern’s signing of Jonathan Tah from Bayer Leverkusen. Under head coach Vincent Kompany, Kim has found himself used primarily as a rotation option. Despite making 17 appearances in official competitions, he is no longer viewed as a first-choice player.
Having joined the Bavarian club from Napoli in 2023 for a €50 million ($58.66 million) fee, Kim remains under contract with Bayern until 2028, which could complicate a potential transfer.
However, according to Turkish sports journalist Murat Zorlu, Kim is reportedly open to the idea of returning to Fenerbahce, where he made his European football debut in the 2021–2022 season. The club’s president, Sadettin Saran, and his board are also said to support the move, viewing Kim as a key addition to their defensive plans.
In addition to targeting Kim Min-jae, the club has reportedly set its sights on two more Bundesliga defenders: Borussia Dortmund’s Niklas Sule and Union Berlin’s Diogo Leite. Both players are expected to become free agents when their contracts expire at the end of the current campaign, making them attractive options in a cost-conscious market.
Club sources suggest that Fenerbahce is keeping a close eye on the situation, aiming to bring in Sule, 30, and Leite, 26, without paying transfer fees. While nothing has been finalized, discussions are said to be ongoing behind the scenes.
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