Newcastle to Hijack Manchester United's Pursuit of £56m Napoli Defender Kim Min-Jae | Sportsmonks
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Newcastle to Hijack Manchester United’s Pursuit of £56m Napoli Defender Kim Min-Jae

Kim Min-jae Transfer

Newcastle have registered an interest in signing Kim Min-Jae after Manchester United identified the Napoli defender as one of their key targets for the summer transfer window.

United manager Erik Ten Hag wants to strengthen his defensive line ahead of the 2023-2024 campaign and named the South Korean international as one of his primary targets.

However, Ten Hag will have to fend off interest from Newcastle as the Magpies are looking to reinforce their own back line after securing Champions League football.

According to talkSPORT, Eddie Howe has identified Kim as the defender he would like to sign during the summer transfer window.

The South Korean international has a release clause in his contract valid for the first half of July – which Howe will look to activate.

Kim caught Howe’s attention after helping Napoli win the Serie A title for the first time since 1990, despite being in his first season at the club.

However, Howe faces an uphill battle to sign Kim amid reports a move to Old Trafford is already ‘practically done’.

According to a report from The Sun, Manchester United have identified a house for Min-Jae to live in following the deal.

They’ve also stated Kim will play a major role at the club given four of United’s defenders are expected to move on this summer.

The report also states that Kim will definitely leave Napoli at the end of the season regardless of their attempts to keep hold of him.

Kim made 33 top-flight appearances in Italy and spurred them on with strong performances in their promising Champions League campaign.

He 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 an additional two years.

Napoli paid £16million (€18.5m)to bring him to Campania from Turkish Super Lig club Fenerbache as they looked to replace Kalidou Koulibaly.

Therefore, the Red Devils would have to pay the defender’s release clause, which the Serie A side has reportedly set at £56m

Source: Daily Mail

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