The report says United have followed Kim since his time at Napoli and will assess him again during the tournament. Juventus and leading Turkish clubs are also reportedly tracking the 29-year-old, creating a wider market around a defender whose status at Bayern appears less secure than before.
Kim has made 116 appearances for Bayern in all competitions, including 37 during the 2025-26 campaign. However, he started only three Champions League matches last season, while Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah were viewed as Vincent Kompany’s first-choice centre-backs.
That contrast is central to the speculation. Kim remains a regular contributor, but his limited role in the biggest fixtures suggests Bayern’s defensive hierarchy may have changed since he arrived from Napoli in 2023 for about €58 million.
United’s interest is logical but not straightforward. The club already has Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Matthijs de Ligt, Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro available in central defence. Maguire has also signed a new contract, reducing the sense of an immediate vacancy.
Kim would therefore represent a competition and quality decision rather than a simple replacement. His experience in Serie A, the Bundesliga and European football would offer United a proven option, while his 2025-26 workload indicates he can still handle a substantial schedule.
The market signal is also important: interest from Juventus and Turkish clubs means United may need to decide whether Kim’s reduced Bayern role reflects a temporary selection issue or a genuine decline in his standing.
No transfer is confirmed, and there is no indication that formal negotiations are underway. United are reportedly continuing their assessment, with Kim’s World Cup performances likely to form part of that process.
His contract through 2028 gives Bayern control over the situation. Unless Kim’s role shrinks further or he pushes for a change, United may remain observers rather than active bidders.