Could London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham do battle for a top defensive signing this summer?
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Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are likely to have different targets this summer but could go head-to-head over a transfer involving European giants Bayern Munich if a move becomes a possibility come the end of the season.
The Blues have started strongly under Liam Rosenior with eight wins in 11 matches in all competitions, a run which has seen the former Strasbourg boss tested across four different fronts already.
Tottenham, meanwhile, look dangerously close to a relegation battle at present and unlike last season, the fear is real this time with the likes of West Ham United, Leeds and Nottingham Forest fighting for their lives. Spurs have new head coach Igor Tudor at the helm until the end of the season and it will prove a challenging task for the former Juventus boss on his first time managing in England, amidst significant injury issues. If Spurs stay up come the end of the season – which currently is far from guaranteed – they may battle with their Stamford Bridge rivals for a crucial acquisition.
Chelsea & Tottenham Hotspur prepare to swoop for Kim Min-Jae this summer
Strengthening in defence is a crucial task for both Chelsea and Spurs this summer and according to reports, Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-Jae could be at the top of the list for both London clubs as they look to sign an experienced top-level player in the position.
Kim started and was a stand-out performer in Bayern’s 3-0 Bundesliga victory over Werder Bremen on Saturday but has found first-team minutes hard to come by under Vincent Kompany. Bayern insider Christian Falk told CFBayern that both Chelsea and Tottenham have ‘shown interest’ in Kim and have the South Korea centre-back on their shortlist. He has also previously been linked with Liverpool.
The 29-year-old is the most expensive Asian player in history after signing for Bayern from Napoli for £43m in 2023, having been an irreplaceable pillar in winning the Scudetto in his final campaign in Italy. But Kim is often third choice centre-back behind Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah at the back for Bayern, making 10 Bundesliga starts this season and just two in the Champions League.
Kim signing could be decisive - for both interested clubs
Chelsea are in need of an experienced head at the back, something that they have lacked since Thiago Silva departed the club in 2024. At 29, Kim would become the oldest player in the Blues’ squad at present and boasting league title wins in Italy, Germany and his native South Korea, certainly has the nous to get over the line under pressure which many members of the Blues’ youthful squad currently lack.
Spurs, meanwhile, boast a strong central defensive partnership in the shape of Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero but retain fears of losing one of their star defenders in the near future. Their depth beyond the pair can be questioned and Kim would arrive as a first-team ready defender who is more than capable of stepping in to become first choice at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium - while it goes without saying the success which fellow South Korean star Son Heung-min had at the club, both on the pitch but also drawing in legions of fans from his homeland.
Kim is not believed to be pushing for a move at present but if the right opportunity were to arrive and Bayern receive the right bid, it is more than possible that we will see the 29-year-old lining up in the Premier League in London come August. For which London club, remains to be seen.