Liverpool ‘call’ to sign £43m Man Utd target after player has secret ‘meeting’ ahead of Prem transfer

Liverpool have reportedly made a ‘call’ to sign Napoli defender Kim Min-jae amid reports linking him with their rivals Manchester United.

Min-jae has enjoyed a brilliant couple of months after he joined Napoli in the summer from Fenerbache for around £15m.

The South Korea international has been in stunning form this term as Napoli have established themselves as the favourites to win Serie A this season.

The defender was previously linked with the Premier League as Tottenham were keen on him before his switch to Napoli.

Man Utd have now seemingly joined the race to sign Min-jae as he has been identified as a potential replacement for Harry Maguire. 

A summer deal is possible for Min-jae as there is said to be a 15-day window when his £43m release clause is active. 

Journalists Antonio Corrado and Mimmo Malfitano recently discussed a ‘meeting’ that was held between Man Utd and Min-jae’s representatives.

“I can tell you that there was a meeting between Kim and his meeting with a foreign club at the Paradiso Hotel in Naples,” Corrado said.

“It was held during the week before the match against Udinese [November 12]. I couldn’t find out the name of the club.

“Whoever gave me the news, told me they spoke in English, but couldn’t get the name of the club. It’s no coincidence that Napoli immediately took steps to renew the player’s contract and eliminate the release clause.”

Malfitano then stepped in to add: “So I’ll tell you: the club in question was Manchester United.”

Liverpool are now seemingly also in the race to sign Min-jae. This follows news that Virgil van Dijk has picked up an injury that is ‘worse than expected’.

The centre-back was forced off at half-time in Liverpool’s shock 3-1 loss against Brentford earlier this week.

Van Dijk was due to ‘meet with a specialist’ this week as the club look to discover the extent of his injury.

His absence leaves Liverpool with just Joel Matip, Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate and Nat Phillips to choose from.

Italian outlet Il Mattino have revealed that Liverpool have made a ‘call’ to sign Min-jae ahead of Man Utd.

They note that Liverpool’s interest is ‘becoming more concrete’ following Van Dijk’s injury. 

This is likely a difficult deal to pull off as Min-jae is in great form and Napoli are unlikely to want to let him leave mid-season while they are battling for a title.

It would also take a massive bid to make a deal happen, which is unlikely given that Liverpool have already signed Cody Gakpo this month and they are prioritising new midfielders heading into the summer.

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