Bayern Munich centre-back responds to reports of summer transfer
- Kim Min-jae determined to fight for future at Bayern Munich
- Vincent Kompany pledged support to South Korea international
- Matthijs de Ligt remains available for transfer amid interest from Man Utd
By Tom Gott
Bayern Munich centre-back Kim Min-jae insists he has not considered leaving the club this summer despite reports he could head for the exit door at the Allianz Arena.
After a bitterly disappointing defensive campaign last season, Bayern are braced for a reshuffle which could see several players depart, with Kim often touted as a potential casualty of the summer rebuild.
Speaking at a press conference in his homeland of South Korea, Kim made it clear he is not looking to leave Bayern this summer.
"We have a new coach," he said. "I never thought about leaving the club. I want to concentrate on the new season."
Bayern have already signed Hiroki Ito this summer but were rocked by the news that the Japan international fractured a bone in his foot during pre-season which could keep him sidelined for several months.
Talks are also ongoing with Bayer Leverkusen over Jonathan Tah, who has entered the final year of his contract and is keen to leave.
As for outgoings, Matthijs de Ligt has been earmarked for a departure and is the subject of significant interest from Manchester United, although a double bid involving right-back Noussair Mazraoui has been rejected by the Bundesliga side.
De Ligt has arrived at Bayern's training complex to undergo his pre-season performance tests, but United remain determined to get a deal for his signature over the line.
Manager Vincent Kompany insisted, however, that changing the personnel is not necessarily the fix to Bayern's defensive woes and challenged the current players in his squad to improve.
"There are a number of reasons why you concede goals, it's not just the back four," he explained. "When the club won so many titles, it wasn't just the defence that was the best, it was defending as a team.
"I played with Jerome Boateng at Man City and it didn't work out well. Then he moved to Bayern and became one of the best defenders in the world. What I'm trying to say is that everyone can improve and defending is a team project."
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