Liverpool are ready to rival Manchester United and Tottenham for Kim Min-jae as clubs could exploit a limited-time release clause.

According to Football Insider, Liverpool are interested in Kim Min-jae as Jurgen Klopp eyes a new central defender. The South Korean has suitors in Manchester United and Tottenham, with the Reds ready to compete with their Premier League rivals for the Napoli star.

Kim Min-jae continues to have a flying season with Napoli, taking the team 19 points clear on the Serie A table. He has been instrumental at the back, with the Serie A giants conceding only 16 times during the campaign. It is by far one of the most comprehensive defensive performances of this day and age.

While many English clubs still regret not signing the South Korean before Napoli did, they might try it this summer. Kim Min-jae has emerged as one of the sought-after centre-backs in the next window, with Premier League clubs heading the chase.

Tottenham were the latest club to enter the conversation, with the north Londoners looking to make a statement defensive signing. The club would like the South Korean, who could become available for a decent price after a release clause in his contract got revealed recently.

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Kim Min-jae reportedly has a £43 million clause in his contract which will be active for two weeks in July. With the short window to sign the South Korean, many clubs, including Manchester United, will try their best to complete the contract.

Erik ten Hag remains in search of a new centre-back to bolster his options. Josko Gvardiol is a reported target for the Dutchman, who wants to take the squad’s quality to the next level with the Croat. These are two of the biggest centre-back targets for the next window. And Liverpool have now joined the chase for Kim Min-jae.

Jurgen Klopp wants to revamp his central defensive options next season as he could slowly phase Virgil van Dijk out of the equation in the long term. Joel Matip and Joe Gomez may not have a future beyond the current campaign, with Ibrahima Konate cementing his place as a first-team regular.

Klopp remains keen on Gvardiol, but Liverpool may bow out of the race for financial reasons. They will be looking at Kim Min-jae’s situation ahead of the £43 million release clause reveal, which may appease the club into paying.

The fee may sound reasonable. But signing top-level players could prove difficult if Liverpool fails to qualify for the Champions League. Considering other rivals could participate in the Premier European competition, the Reds have to be smart with their offer to prise the South Korean away.

Klopp will ask for a significant investment from the club to strengthen the overall quality of the squad. With top-rated central defenders in the market coming at a premium, the £43 million release clause may be seen as a blessing in disguise.

For now, the race for Kim Min-jae remains open, and more top clubs could join in to sign the £43 million-rated defender in the summer. Liverpool may have a case, but they might lose out to Champions League-playing sides in the race.

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