Report: Liverpool monitoring £44m centre-back titan who ‘thrives when others panic’…

Report: Liverpool is keeping an eye on a £44m centre-back powerhouse who excels under pressure.

Another name seems to have been added to Liverpool’s list of potential centre-back signings for 2026.

In recent months, the Reds have been associated with various defenders, with reported targets including well-known players like Marc Guehi and Nico Schlotterbeck, as well as lesser-known options such as Dynamo Kyiv’s rising star Taras Mykhavko and Union Berlin’s Diogo Leite.

Another player from the Bundesliga appears to be on Richard Hughes’ radar as the January transfer window gradually approaches.

Liverpool is reportedly tracking Kim Min-jae.

As noted by Dean Jones for Flashscore (via The Boy Hotspur), Liverpool is monitoring Kim Min-jae at Bayern Munich, who is also being closely watched by Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.

The €50m (£43.7m) defender has faced challenges in securing playing time under Vincent Kompany this season, and it has been suggested that the German champions have not dismissed the idea of a sale in 2026, although they plan to take their time to evaluate his situation first.

A transfer next summer seems more probable than a January departure, although the 28-year-old is believed to be concentrating on regaining his starting position at the Allianz Arena.

What attributes would Kim add to Liverpool’s defence?

Given that Ibrahima Konate’s contract situation remains unresolved and Liverpool’s defensive weaknesses have been exposed too frequently in recent weeks, it is not surprising that centre-back is a key priority for the Premier League champions when the market reopens.

While Kim may be struggling for starting opportunities at Bayern and may not be the most valuable long-term choice as he approaches 29 next month, he would provide the Reds with a strong option for the immediate future, being a proven performer in the Champions League.

An extensive evaluation by Breaking The Lines has commended his ‘mastery of control’ with the ball, characterizing him as a highly versatile ‘tactical chameleon’ and a calm, collected defender who ‘excels where others falter’.

Standing at 6 foot 2, the South Korean would provide Arne Slot with a physically formidable presence in defense, a quality that has become increasingly vital given the rising frequency of set-piece goals in the Premier League.

Kim is not merely a robust defensive figure – according to FBref, he ranks in the top 6% and top 8% respectively among centre-backs in Europe’s five major leagues over the past year for pass completion (93%) and progressive passes per 90 minutes (5.59).

He may require some persuasion to depart from Bayern, and the competition for his signature is expected to be fierce if he becomes available, but Liverpool could do much worse than seriously consider the 28-year-old if they aim to strengthen their defense in 2026.