Man Utd in ‘battle’ for £40m ‘monster’ as Guardiola is an ‘admirer’ of Maguire’s potential successor
Man City have reportedly joined Man Utd in targeting Napoli centre-back Kim Min-jae as Pep Guardiola is an ‘admirer’ of the 26-year-old.
Min-jae joined the Serie A side last summer for around £15m from Turkish outfit Fenerbache.
The South Korea international has been in stunning form for Napoli this season and he has firmly established himself as one of the best defenders in the world.
His form for the Serie A leaders has caught the attention of several Premier League clubs. Tottenham tried to sign him prior to his move to Napoli and Man Utd are also being consistently linked with him.
They are not alone in targeting Min-jae, though. The Sun are reporting that City have ‘joined Man Utd’ in a ‘transfer battle for the Napoli monster’.
The report claims Liverpool are also showing interest in the talented defender but City head coach Guardiola is an ‘admirer’ of him.
Min-jae’s current contract at Napoli reportedly includes a £40m release clause. They are keen to offer him a new deal so this clause can be removed but the defender is understood to ‘fancy a move to England’.
If he joins Man City, he would be replacing Aymeric Laporte as Guardiola ‘will let him leave’ during this summer’s transfer window.
The report adds Guardiola is ‘also a fan of RB Leipzig bruiser Josko Gvardiol’. A potential deal for the Croatian will be more expensive as his contract includes a £97m release clause.
The 21-year-old is ‘likely’ to leave the Bundesliga outfit this summer after his move to Chelsea last year fell through.
As for Man Utd, they are keen to recruit a new centre-back this summer as it is possible that Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof will move on before next season.
READ MORE: Did Man Utd win ‘one of worst FA Cup semi-finals’ because of DNA or dark arts?
Club legend Andy Cole thinks Maguire “needs to take any option he can get” this summer.
“If Manchester United decide to sell Harry Maguire in the summer, he needs to take any option he can get,” Cole told King Casino Bonus.
“There is no doubt he’ll have multiple clubs in for him. But Erik ten Hag will have to make the decision to sell Maguire or not, he’ll make a decision based on the future of his defence.
“Maguire has found it hard to play for Manchester United but when he plays for England he’s one of, if not the best centre-backs we have.
“There are no weekends off at Manchester United – one week off and everyone will say how bad you are. If Maguire moves on, I hope he takes the best option for his family and his career.”
READ MORE: Premier League winners and losers… Praise for Newcastle, Paqueta but Spurs and Leeds slammed