Korean international Kim Min-jae is extremely close to agreeing contract terms with Manchester United as the Red Devils look to bolster their squad.
Reports in Italy have suggested that the Napoli player has already agreed personal terms with Manchester United. But the player’s agent later said that no terms have been agreed with any club. United have been admirers of the defender ever since he was playing for Beijing Guoan in China.
Kim joined Napoli from Turkish side Fenerbahce last summer and has established himself as a key member of the team that has lifted the Serie A title this season.
There is a unique release clause in Kim’s contract whereby any club can activate it but only for the first 15 days of July 2023. The release clause is close to ￡50 million.
Several centre-backs have been linked with United as one of either Harry Maguire or Victor Lindelof is likely to leave the club in the summer.
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His agent said: “It is not true that a deal has been done with Manchester United. Kim is concentrating on seeing out the season, besides which we still don’t know which English clubs will qualify for the Champions League next term.”
Kim’s agent hinted that they are not in any rush to decide his next club but a move to a club in the Champions League would be preferred.
Kim’s performances for Napoli and South Korea at the World Cup have thrown him into the limelight. Napoli are desperate to try to keep him but the release clause has made their task rather difficult.
United are reportedly happy to pay that release clause to acquire the Korean’s services. A move to Old Trafford would make him only the second-ever Korean to play for United.
Whenever Raphael Varane and Lissandro Martinez have struggled with injuries, United have seen a drop in the standards of performances and the current deputies have not been able to fill the shoes of the two world cup winners.
Luke Shaw has been preferred to club captain Harry Maguire at times to fill in at centre-back. Reinforcements in this area is a priority for Erik Ten Hag.
