Football Presse

Former coach backs Kim Min-jae move to Juventus under Spalletti

Β·By Paul Lindisfarne
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The former coach who worked with Kim Min-jae at Fenerbahce has endorsed a potential move to Juventus, saying the South Korean defender would thrive under Luciano Spalletti.

Ismail Kartal, speaking to TuttoJuve, said he had followed reports linking Kim with a summer transfer to Turin and believed the fit was natural given Spalletti's methods.

"I've read the links to Juventus and he could become the leader of the defence under Spalletti's guidance," Kartal said.

"The Tuscan coach has built a style of play that suits Kim's characteristics and that is why he could do very well there.

"I wish him the best because he is a good-hearted guy and always positive. He gets on well with his family and his teammates. He did very well with me at Fenerbahce."

Kartal also offered a detailed assessment of the defender's qualities. "His most important quality is speed, but despite being 1.90 metres tall he is incredibly agile. He is a very tenacious defender, he never gives up and he is a real warrior. He is also an excellent player with the ball at his feet. The quality of his passing is at a high level. He loves to play close to opponents and in physical contact. He is very ambitious and cannot stand losing."

The Juventus interest is being driven by Spalletti, who won the Serie A title with Kim at Napoli in the 2022-23 season β€” the club's first league title in over 30 years. According to Fabrizio Romano via Calciomercato, Spalletti would gladly reunite with the defender he guided to becoming one of Europe's top centre-backs.

Kim, now 29, has struggled for regular football at Bayern Munich since his arrival in 2023, when the Bavarians activated his release clause for more than €50 million. Jonathan Tah and Dayot Upamecano have been preferred under Vincent Kompany this season. Bayern are reported to be demanding around €40 million, and Kim's current salary of approximately €10 million per year is roughly double what Juventus normally allow β€” making a loan a more realistic initial structure for any deal.