Kim Min-jae’s move to Man United ‘almost DONE’ with the Red Devils ‘finding the £56m-rated Napoli defender a home to live in’… with the South Korean likely to leave after a superb Serie A A season
- The highly-rated defender has been heavily linked with the Premier League club
- Kim moved to Napoli at the start of the season to replace Kalidou Koulibaly
- United is also sniffing his team-mate star striker Victor Osimhen
Manchester United are closing in on securing the services of Napoli’s Kim Min-jae, with the club already looking for a home for the defender, according to reports.
The South Korea international has long been one of the Red Devils’ main targets as Erik ten Hag plans his proposed defensive revamp.
As many as four of United’s defenders are expected to move on this summer, and the Dutch manager believes the centre-back will be a key piece of the puzzle as United look to challenge at the top level next season.
According to the Sun, Kim’s move north is ‘practically complete’, after Italian news outlet Il Mattino confirmed the 26-year-old was preparing to leave the club after helping them win their historic Seria A title in May.
Kim played a key role in ending Napoli’s 33-year wait for a Scudetto, featuring in 33 of their top-flight matches as well as spurring them to strong performances in their promising Champions League campaign.
Kim Min-jae’s move to United is ‘practically done’ and the club have identified a home for him
Erik ten Hag will be fine tuning large parts of the United squad during the transfer window
The defender only arrived in Naples at the start of the season after securing a three-year contract with an option for the club to extend the deal for a further two years.
Napoli splashed out £16million (€18.5m) to bring Kim to Campania from Turkish Super Lig club Fenerbache as they look to replace their long-term defensive general Kalidou Koulibaly.
Koulibaly moved to Chelsea earlier in the transfer window last summer after eight years at Napoli.
United are said to be considering offering Kim a £7.8m-a-year deal, although they are yet to table an official offer to his current club.
The Red Devils also have to pay the defender’s release clause, which the Serie A side set at £56m.
This can be seen in Napoli making an estimated £37m in their one-season wonder.
Ten Hag are looking to refine their squad in various positions in the upcoming transfer window, with a marquee signing in attack also at the top of their wish list.
Kim’s team-mate Victor Osimhen has also attracted interest from Old Trafford, with the Nigerian striker being considered alongside England captain and Tottenham star Harry Kane.
But Napoli are less willing to let their 28-goal target man go, with club chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis declaring there is ‘no way’ Osimhen can be sold at the end of the season.
The South Korea international’s defensive output helped seal Napoli’s historic Serie A title
Victor Osimhen (behind Kim) is another Scudetto winner the Manchester club is eyeing
The Dutch manager’s planned moves in the window may even be affected by their finish at the end of this campaign.
United have yet to secure Champions League football with just two matches remaining, against Chelsea and Fulham.
However, the Manchester outfit will be allowed to feel quietly confident of securing another season in the European top-flight, as they need just a single point to qualify.
Their nearest rivals Liverpool squandered a great chance to keep pace in the hunt for a top four spot by drawing Aston Villa 1-1 at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.
News/Image Sources: Daily Mail
