Manchester United are being linked with a move for South Korean defender Kim Min-Jae, The Mirror report.
United are said to be monitoring the defender along with Real Madrid. Tottenham are also credited with interest.
Fabrizio Romano reported Kim Min-Jae is expected to complete the season with Napoli, who are into the Champions League last 16.
A deal is more likely for next summer, so what do Manchester United fans need to know about the potential addition?
Kim Min-Jae club record
Kim Min-Jae plays for Napoli and only signed for the Serie A side this past summer as a replacement for long-serving star Kalidou Koulibaly.
Napoli paid £16 million to sign him from Fenerbahce, a deal which currently looks like a very smart investment. Napoli entered the World Cup break in first place, conceding only 12 goals in 15 games.
The 26-year-old has started 14 of those Serie A matches, scoring two goals from centre-back, against Lecce and Lazio. He was named Serie A player of the month for September.
He also started all six Champions League games, including Napoli’s 4-1 win over Liverpool.
Kim made 31 league starts for Fenerbahce in 2021/22 with his side finishing second in the league. He was named in the FIFA 22 Super Lig team of the season.
Fenerbahce signed Kim for just £3 million in summer 2021 from Chinese Super League side Beijing Guoan, where he spent two full season.
He had previously starred for South Korean K1 League side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, winning the league twice in 2017 and 2018.
International record
Kim Jae-Min starred for South Korea’s under-23 team to help to win the 2018 Asian Games tournament.
His first senior cap actually came in 2017, and he has since become a regular at senior level for South Korea, earning 47 caps and scoring three goals.
He started three games at the 2022 World Cup, which included keeping a clean sheet in the group stages against Edinson Cavani’s Uruguay.
Player profile
Full name: Kim Min-Jae
Age: 26
Height: 1.90m (6 ft 3 in)
Nationality: South Korean
Date of birth: 15 November 1996
Place of birth: Tongyeong, South Korea
Position: Centre-back
Club: Napoli
Kim Min-Jae release clause
Kim Min-Jae is under contract with Napoli until 2025. He has a release clause of £38 million in his contract.
Football Italia report Napoli would like to sign Kim Min-Jae to an improved contract, which would either remove or substantially increase the clause.
Manchester United past interest
A report from The Mirror claim Manchester United were offered the chance to sign Kim Min-Jae for just £3 million in the summer of 2020.
Kim Min-Jae nickname
Kim Min-Jae has a nickname ‘The Monster’, which is one he says he embraces as it pays tribute to his physical prowess.
He told The Guardian: “It’s not difficult to recognise me on the street in Naples. I really like it. It sums up my positive attributes as a defender.”
Kim Min-Jae: What they say
Former Italy defender Beppe Bergomi told Football Italia: “We all had doubts about Kim after the talisman (Kalidou Koulibaly) left. (But) he never makes mistakes.
“Maybe, in the build-up, he is less strong than Koulibaly. But, defensively, he is more careful. And that, for a defender, is very important.”
Manager Luciano Spalletti said: “Kim has this incredible strength and speed. As soon as he senses danger, he is off after it at double speed.”
Sungmo Lee, from Goal Korea, told football.london: “Min-Jae is hailed as one of the best centre-backs South Korea has produced in [the] 21st century He has huge potential. He’s big, strong and fast. He’s strong in the air, and also has good feet.”
Viral star
Kim Min-Jae went viral when a video clip of his initiation at Napoli was published by the club. He sang South Korean hit Gangnam Style to the applause of his teammates.
Verdict
Kim Min-Jae is an exciting defender who has risen to every challenge put in front of him in his career so far.
His physical presence would see him cope well with the rigours of Premier League football, and he also possesses the trait Harry Maguire lacks, speed.
Maguire’s long-term future at the club is uncertain if he cannot hold down a starting spot, he could be forced to look for a move for the sake of his England ambitions. The Guardian report Erik ten Hag would consider letting him leave next summer.
Kim Min-Jae could be an excellent replacement, especially at a price of £38 million. If Napoli are able to increase his release clause, then a deal becomes a lot more difficult to do, with the need to still spend on a striker or even two.
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