Manchester United are reportedly preparing a summer move for Napoli centre-back Kim Min-Jae as a potential replacement for Harry Maguire.
According to Italian outlet Tutto Mercato Web, Napoli are planning to offer new terms to Kim Min-Jae in the wake of growing interest in his services across Europe. Manchester United “in particular” want to land the South Korean defender next summer, and they are “preparing an assault” to acquire his signature in the summer.
The South Korean international only joined the Serie A side from Fenerbahce as a replacement for long-serving star Kalidou Koulibaly last summer, but he is already drawing admiring glances from some of Europe’s biggest clubs after putting in rock-solid performances for club and country over the last 12 months or so.
Kim has been one of their standout players this season. He started all but one game in Serie A and made 20 appearances across all competitions for Gli Azzurri prior to the World Cup break, scoring two goals in the process.
His presence at the heart of their defence has seen them open up an eight-point lead at the top of the Serie A table. They also topped their Champions League group, beating Liverpool, Ajax, and Rangers along the way to set up a very winnable Round of 16 encounter with Eintracht Frankfurt.
He carried that superb form into the World Cup and impressed for his country in Qatar, playing an integral part in them reaching the last 16 for just the third time in their history. While South Korea eventually got knocked out by Brazil, Min-jae’s stock has continued to rise.
Min-Jae’s current contract at Napoli is due to expire in 2025; however, it is the €50 million release clause for foreign clubs that puts them in a tricky position ahead of the summer window. Per the above report, Napoli are looking to remove that clause to avoid losing their prized asset for such a low sum.
His progress has caught the eye of several top European clubs. And among major clubs keeping close tabs is Manchester United, who are actively discussing a summer swoop for the stopper.
There are genuine doubts hanging over club captain Harry Maguire’s future at Old Trafford beyond the current campaign. The 29-year-old is currently the fourth-choice centre-back in the squad behind Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, and Victor Lindelof.
And Erik ten Hag could be prepared to offload him next summer, despite his decent performances for England at the World Cup. Min-Jae appears to be the Red Devils’ top defensive target at the moment, and they will be hoping that the South Korean rejects the option of cancelling his release clause or putting pen to paper on a new deal in Naples.
Min-Jae would be a very solid addition for United and a solid upgrade for the England international. He is a powerful, ball-playing, and aerially dominant centre-half, but his most notable quality is his superb game reading and ability to know when and where to position himself to snuff out danger at the source.
With Raphael Varane’s injury concerns, it is clear that Man Utd require another elite centre-back on their roster. And Min-Jae could be the answer, but the Red Devils must be pro-active to beat out the stiff competition to secure the defender’s signature next summer.
Manchester United are reportedly preparing a summer move for Napoli centre-back Kim Min-Jae as a potential replacement for Harry Maguire.
According to Italian outlet Tutto Mercato Web, Napoli are planning to offer new terms to Kim Min-Jae in the wake of growing interest in his services across Europe. Manchester United “in particular” want to land the South Korean defender next summer, and they are “preparing an assault” to acquire his signature in the summer.
The South Korean international only joined the Serie A side from Fenerbahce as a replacement for long-serving star Kalidou Koulibaly last summer, but he is already drawing admiring glances from some of Europe’s biggest clubs after putting in rock-solid performances for club and country over the last 12 months or so.
Kim has been one of their standout players this season. He started all but one game in Serie A and made 20 appearances across all competitions for Gli Azzurri prior to the World Cup break, scoring two goals in the process.
His presence at the heart of their defence has seen them open up an eight-point lead at the top of the Serie A table. They also topped their Champions League group, beating Liverpool, Ajax, and Rangers along the way to set up a very winnable Round of 16 encounter with Eintracht Frankfurt.
He carried that superb form into the World Cup and impressed for his country in Qatar, playing an integral part in them reaching the last 16 for just the third time in their history. While South Korea eventually got knocked out by Brazil, Min-jae’s stock has continued to rise.
Min-Jae’s current contract at Napoli is due to expire in 2025; however, it is the €50 million release clause for foreign clubs that puts them in a tricky position ahead of the summer window. Per the above report, Napoli are looking to remove that clause to avoid losing their prized asset for such a low sum.
His progress has caught the eye of several top European clubs. And among major clubs keeping close tabs is Manchester United, who are actively discussing a summer swoop for the stopper.
There are genuine doubts hanging over club captain Harry Maguire’s future at Old Trafford beyond the current campaign. The 29-year-old is currently the fourth-choice centre-back in the squad behind Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, and Victor Lindelof.
And Erik ten Hag could be prepared to offload him next summer, despite his decent performances for England at the World Cup. Min-Jae appears to be the Red Devils’ top defensive target at the moment, and they will be hoping that the South Korean rejects the option of cancelling his release clause or putting pen to paper on a new deal in Naples.
Min-Jae would be a very solid addition for United and a solid upgrade for the England international. He is a powerful, ball-playing, and aerially dominant centre-half, but his most notable quality is his superb game reading and ability to know when and where to position himself to snuff out danger at the source.
With Raphael Varane’s injury concerns, it is clear that Man Utd require another elite centre-back on their roster. And Min-Jae could be the answer, but the Red Devils must be pro-active to beat out the stiff competition to secure the defender’s signature next summer.