Manchester United are being strongly linked to South Korean defender Kim Min-Jae.
Reports from Italy have suggested Manchester United are closing in on Napoli’s Kim Min-Jae, with Il Mattino claiming he is keen to join up.
Kim Min-Jae has been a key part of the Napoli side this season which have just won Serie A, and with it, he has caught United’s eye.
The 26-year-old centre-back also featured at the World Cup for South Korea late last year.
Update on Kim Min-Jae
Fabrizio Romano has provided some clarification on Kim’s speculated £43 million move to Old Trafford. He says nothing has been agreed yet.
He wrote: “Kim Min-Jae, on Manchester United list since December — but nothing is agreed or decided at this stage.
“The release clause will only be valid in July, Man United are interested while Napoli are still offering Kim a new deal.”
The situation remains a fluid one, with Napoli keeping the door open for him to stay. At present his contract contains a release clause, which United can activate and the Italian club cannot stop him leaving.
This has led to Napoli actively exploring replacements. Tuttomercatoweb reports they have identified Atalanta centre-back Giorgio Scalvini as an option, while former Arsenal defender Konstantinos Mavropanos is also on their shortlist.
Italian journalist Cicciola Marola has warned Kim Min-Jae is not viewed by Napoli ‘irreplaceable’.
He is quoted by Area Napoli: “Irreplaceable in this Napoli? For me the real ones are Di Lorenzo, Lobotka and Osimhen. And I think the latter will hardly go away. Kim? He’s a good player, but he’s not irreplaceable. Not just for his role, but also for some mistakes made.”
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