The 28-year-old, who won the 2023/24 Scudetto in his only season tackling Italian soccer, is a regular at Bayern Munich but could be moved on in the summer.
Kim has been part of Bayern’s surprisingly shaky defense this term, which was transparent when the Bundesliga leaders were recently knocked out of the Champions League quarter-finals by Inter Milan.
The errors from the South Korea international in recent months has left the center-back under close scrutiny from head coach Vincent Kompany, with the German giants expecting to allow Kim to leave as part of a clearout.
Five-year deal with Bavarians
Kim arrived at the Allianz Arena in June 2023 on a mega bucks five-year deal for €50 million (US$56.85m), which made him the most expensive Asian soccer transfer.
The two-time K League 1 champion with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors joined Turkish titans Fenerbahce in 2021, before Napoli swooped with a successful bid of €19.5m (US$22.2m).
Kim impressed in the Italian top-flight as Napoli soared to their first Serie A title in 33 years, with 35 league appearances that earned praise from the plaudits.
Thomas Tuchel was the Bayern boss at the time when the Bavarians brought in Kim. He made 25 Bundesliga appearances in his first season, but the club finished runners up to surprise champions Bayer Leverkusen.
Kim overplayed this term
Kompany was a shock replacement for axed Tuchel, and has persisted with Kim this term. He has been constantly playing, despite an Achilles tendon problem in November. The knives have been out from the German media for the frequently error-prone defensive backline, picking out Kim and his team-mate Dayot Upamecano.
Bayern are prepared to let Kim leave but only for the same amount that they forked out for him in 2023. Having excelled in his only Serie A season at Napoli, Juventus have made him a serious target as they bid to be Scudetto challengers next season.
Juve will have to battle it out with cash-rich Premier League clubs Chelsea and Newcastle United to secure the signature of Kim. It is understood that Kim’s agent has held initial talks with Chelsea.
The only potential downfall is Kim’s fitness, as since suffered Achilles tendon problems his aerial prowess has plummeted. Yet arguably he was the best Serie A defender when Napoli lifted the 2022/23 Scudetto, and once back to tip-top health the serial league winner could be adding to his trophies in a Juve jersey.