Arsenal could make a surprise move in January to sign Bayern Munich's Kim Min-jae, who has found game time hard to come by but has an admirer at the Emirates
STAVANGER, NORWAY - OCTOBER 13: Minjae Kim of FC Bayern Munich following the team's remis in the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD2 match between Viking FK and FC Bayern München at Viking Stadion on October 13, 2026 in Stavanger, Norway. (Photo by S. Stingl/FC Bayern via Getty Images)
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Arsenal are eyeing a surprise January move for Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae as they look to plug holes in their backline.
Mikel Arteta has several injury concerns, the most notable of those being William Saliba. The Frenchman was injured at the World Cup and is yet to play this season.
Piero Hincapie is also expected to be sidelined for a number of weeks with an ankle injury and that has left the Premier League champions scouring the market for potential replacements, despite the well documented depth in their squad.
Bayern star Kim has emerged as a target with Bild reporting he's on the verge of leaving the Bavarians in search of a fresh challenge. Arsenal's interest in him is reportedly being driven by Maurizio Micheli, the defender’s former mentor at Napoli, who now works as the head of scouting at the Gunners.
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Kim joined Bayern from Napoli £43.5million back in 2023, a move that made him the most expensive Asian footballer in history. He's gone on to make 122 appearances, winning multiple honours, but injury problems and a serious competition for places have seen him slide down the order.
Vincent Kompany currently has Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah ahead of the South Korean in the pecking order and as a result has only played two Bundesliga games this season.
Bayern are therefore open to the prospect of selling both Kim and Alphonso Davies, another player linked with a departure, in order to raise funds as they consider making additions in January.
William Saliba.
William Saliba sustained a back injury against Spain at the World Cup(Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
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Arsenal did land Ezri Konsa during their summer recruitment drive. The Englishman arrived from Aston Villa, where he had continued to excel, and he's capable of filling in across several positions. Even still Arteta is keen to consider fresh arrivals come the New Year.
Ben White is another versatile member of Arsenal's defender, as is Jurrien Timber, with both players performing impressively whether deployed centrally or on the flanks.
The Gunners are bidding to defend their Premier League crown whilst there is a real push for conquer Europe after last season's heartbreaking loss in the Champions League final.