“Monster defender” Kim Min-jae (SSC Napoli) is on a roll in the English Premier League.
Manchester United secured at least a fourth-place finish in next season’s European Champions League with a convincing 4-1 home win over Chelsea in the 37th round of the 2022-2023 Premier League on Sept. 26 (ET).
The Red Devils have been touted as a possible next destination for Kim Min-jae, and now that they’ve secured their coveted Champions League spot, their chances of landing him have increased.
“Man Utd top target for defender… They want Kim Min-jae”
“The last obstacle for United to sign Kim Min-jae was the uncertainty of qualifying for the Champions League, but that has been removed,” said Italian outlet Calcio Napoli 24, “United are in a position to decide his future.”
Now that the Red Devils have secured their place in the Champions League, British and Italian media outlets are reporting that Kim will join the club.
“Kim has a transfer clause that expires in July,” said the UK’s Daily Mail, adding, “United are hoping to wrap up a deal for Kim quickly as a defender is a top target in this summer’s transfer window.”
“United are expected to lose defender Harry Maguire, who has been a shaky performer this season, and Victor Lindelof has also been linked with a move away, which will open up a spot for Kim to play.”
Kim has a €50 million ($71.2 billion) “buyout” clause in his Napoli contract that runs from July 1-15. Any club that pays this amount can sign Kim without Napoli’s permission.
Kim Min-jae to join Man United after Park Ji-sung
“Man United and Kim Min-jae are only left to finalize the details of the transfer agreement,” the Italian newspaper Il Timino reported, adding that “Napoli are also worried about losing Kim Min-jae and are already looking for a new defender.”스포츠토토
In addition to Man Utd, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain are also reported to be in the race to sign the player, making him an increasingly important player as the transfer market approaches.
Kim made his professional debut with the K League’s Jeonbuk Hyundai and has since gone on to play for Beijing Guoan (China) and Fenerbahçe (Turkey) before joining Napoli this season, where he has been touted as a “world-class” defender, leading the team to the Italian Serie A title.
United is the Premier League’s all-time winningest club and has a global reputation. If Kim joins the club, he would be the second Korean player to do so, after Park Ji-Sung. Park played for United from 2005 to 2012, scoring 27 goals in his career and helping the club win the Premier League and Champions League.