Ten Hag ‘very close’ to landing top target with United chiefs ‘ready’ to pay £53m asking price
Manchester United are now expected to complete the signing of Napoli defender Kim Min-jae for a fee in the region of £53million, according to reports.
Kim has been one of the best defenders in Europe this season and played a massive part in Napoli’s Serie A title win.
He only joined the Naples outfit last summer, joining from Turkish side Fenerbahce for a measly €18m.
The South Korean international has played 42 times across all competitions this term.
His fine form has seen Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham linked with a summer transfer.
Spurs reportedly tried to sign Kim last year before his move to Napoli.
The 26-year-old reportedly has a release clause in his contract, though the actual terms of it are unclear.
On his player profile on Transfermarkt, it says his Napoli contract includes a €45m release clause that will become active next year and will only apply to clubs outside of Italy.
Meanwhile, many journalists – including Ben Jacobs – have said the centre-back has a £42m exit clause that will be active for 15 days at the start of the summer transfer window.
And just to add another spanner to the works, a report from Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport (via Sport Witness) says Manchester United will be able to land Kim for €60m (£53.2m).
While the potential transfer fee remains uncertain, interest from the Red Devils is clear to see.
The report says the club’s ‘offensive’ is underway with a €60m deal ‘ready’ to be sanctioned.
A deal appears to be in United’s hands with Napoli director of football Cristiano Giuntoli prepared for a busy summer window following the terrific performances of Kim, Victor Osimhen and co.
The aforementioned transfer fee should be enough for the Italian side to accept and there is a belief that a deal ‘could be done quickly’.
United are ‘waiting to know the real amount’ to land Kim. Aren’t we all…
This report is also broken down by The Faithful MUFC. It is said that a deal to sign Kim is actually ‘very close’.
The South Korean is expected to return to his home country at the end of the season but could leave Napoli very soon after his return.
United are in Premier League action on Sunday evening when they face West Ham at the London Stadium.
After looking like a shoo-in for a top four finish all year, Ten Hag’s side are in danger of missing out on Champions League football with Liverpool on a terrific run of form.
The Reds beat Brentford on Saturday to go one point behind United, although they do have two games in hand on their arch-rivals.
Jurgen Klopp’s men only have three league games remaining. They travel to relegation-threatened Leicester before a home match against Aston Villa and a trip to Southampton on the final day of the season.
United, on the other hand, face the Hammers on the Sunday before tests against Wolves, Bournemouth, Chelsea and Fulham.