Transfer gossip: Chelsea to hijack Man Utd hijack for £53m star with pair included in swap deal

The hijackers become the hijackees in the space of a day as Chelsea look to swoop ahead of Manchester United in their bid for a £53m centre-back.

HIJACKING A HIJACK
A report on Friday claimed Manchester United had ‘opened talks’ with the representatives of Napoli centre-back Kim Min-jae and have submitted a ‘colossal’ contract offer.

That was deemed a hijack by the transfer gossip powers that be as Manchester City and Liverpool has also loosely been linked with signing the 26-year-old.

But within 12 hours the hijackers have become the hijcackees with Chelsea now ready to swoop in for the South Korean, who for some reason is one of those footballers we’re required to call a ‘giant’ and mention his height, despite 6ft 3in not really being that unusually tall.

He’s bloody good though, hence the widespread interest, and has played a huge role in Napoli storming to the Serie A title this season, making 33 appearances and helping Luciano Spalletti’s side to 16 clean sheets.

According to journalist Ignazio Genuardi, Chelsea will look to use both Christian Pulisic and former Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly – who only joined the Blues in the summer – as part of a deal to get Kim Min-jae to Stamford Bridge.

There have been some suggestions that Chelsea may take their foot off the gas in the transfer market having spent £600m in Todd Boehly’s first season as owner, but Genuardi confirms they will be ‘active’ again this summer.

Il Mattino (via Sport Witness) confirm Chelsea’s interest in Kim Min-jae, insisting they are ‘ready to offer’ for the player and battle Manchester United for his signature.

RICE REPLACEMENT
“There are plans that we have Dec here but we’re also fully aware there is a good chance we won’t have him,” said West Ham boss David Moyes on Friday, with Manchester United, Liverpool, and possibly Chelsea, all vying for his signing this summer.

And reports claim they’re looking to bring former Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi to the club to replace the England international.

Guendouzi moved to Marseille from the Emirates in 2021 having fallen out with Mikel Arteta, making a loan move to the French giants permanent last summer.

The 24-year-old has since clocked up over 40 appearances for the club but has found himself out of favour in recent weeks – fuelling rumours that the French giants could cash in if the price is right.

It’s not clear whether Guendouzi would be open to a return to the Premier League with West Ham, but in a recent press conference he admitted he feels “powerless” at his current situation.

RAYA RACE
Tottenham, Manchester United and Chelsea are all thought to be on the lookout for a new goalkeeper and all appear to have Brentford’s David Raya on their shortlists.

Manager Thomas Frank has admitted that they may lose the Spanish stopper who has one year left on his deal, confirming his price in the process.

“There is no doubt that David (Raya) is a case where there is one year left and we will see what will happen. We’re very happy with David here,” Frank said.

“Everyone knows he is a £40m-plus goalkeeper if anyone is interested and we are prepared just like in any position.

“There is a possibility he’ll leave this summer maybe, for the right price, and if that happens then of course we need to be prepared.”