Nottingham Forest are preparing a bold move for Bayern Munich centre-back Kim Min-jae, with the South Korean international understood to be keen on a switch to the City Ground.
According to the latest reports, Forest are ready to table an offer in the region of €40 million as they look to strengthen their defensive options under Oliver Glasner. The 29-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at the Allianz Arena in recent months, opening the door for a possible exit this summer.
Kim, who joined Bayern from Napoli in 2023 for a fee of around €50 million, still has two years left on his contract. However, with increased competition in central defence and limited starts in the early stages of the campaign, a move away is now being considered by all parties.
Sources close to the situation suggest the player is open to a new challenge and has given a positive response to Forest’s interest. The Premier League club’s ambitious project, combined with the chance of regular first-team football, is believed to have appealed to the South Korea international.
Forest have been actively searching for defensive reinforcements after identifying the need for greater depth and quality at the back. Kim’s profile — tall, athletic, strong in the air, and comfortable playing out from the back — fits the type of centre-back Glasner prefers.
A €40 million package would represent a significant investment for Forest, but the club’s hierarchy are understood to be prepared to push hard if they receive encouragement from the player’s camp. Bayern, meanwhile, are not actively looking to sell but may be willing to listen to offers that meet their valuation, especially if Kim pushes for the move.
The potential deal would mark one of the most eye-catching transfers of Forest’s summer window so far. Kim’s experience in the Champions League, Serie A and Bundesliga, as well as his leadership qualities with the South Korea national team, would add both quality and pedigree to the City Ground squad.
Negotiations remain at an early stage, but Forest’s interest is described as serious. Whether they can convince Bayern to do business and finalise personal terms with the player will become clearer in the coming days.
For now, Kim Min-jae remains a Bayern Munich player but Nottingham Forest’s €40 million pursuit has put the South Korean star firmly on the transfer radar.
