Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag signed one centre-back last summer, adding Lisandro Martinez into the mix.
With reports via The Mail that Harry Maguire will be sold, United are likely going to be in the market for a replacement.
One possibility is Martinez’s former partner at Ajax, Jurrien Timber. Another persistently linked name is Napoli defender Kim Min-Jae.
His current manager at Napoli has been talking him up – and Manchester United may be taking note.
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Kim Min-Jae ‘best in the world’
A report via Tuttomercatoweb claimed in January that Manchester United are ‘serious’ about signing the 26-year-old South Korea international in the summer.
In comments reported by Fabrizio Romano, Napoli manager Luciano Spalletti talked up the tough tackling defender.
Speaking after the Serie A leaders’ 2-0 win over Atalanta, Spalletti said: “Kim Min-Jae is the best centre-back in the world right now”.
“Kim does at least 20 incredible things per game. When he starts the run with the ball at his feet, he can get it into the opposition penalty area in five seconds flat!”
Kim Min-Jae currently has a release clause in his contract at £38 million. However, Goal reported last month amid fresh claims of United’s interest, that this clause is only active for a specific 15 day period in the summer window.
It was claimed in the same report that Napoli are looking to remove this clause altogether with a new contract, but there has been no agreement.
If his manager keeps on talking him up like this, with that low release clause, he is playing a dangerous game. Manchester United are unlikely to be the only ones looking at making a move.