EPL: Manchester United make Napoli’s Kim Min-jae top target in defence

Manchester United has been ‘in contact’ with Napoli defender Kim Min-jae’s agent over a potential move to Old Trafford this summer.

This is coming after Kim Min-jae was made a top target in defence for the Red Devils. With Harry Maguire seemingly edging toward the exit door, the need for a new centre-half remains. Kim Min-jae’s name seems to be the one that’s cropping up most often.

26-year-old Kim who won Serie A Defender of the Year after winning the Italian top-flight league title with Napoli for the first time in 33 years, is already a hot property.

Newcastle are also interested in the 26-year-old, who joined Napoli from Fenerbahce last July and was an important part of their Serie A title success. Manchester United are understood to be monitoring the French market for fallback options if they do not land Kim, who played in South Korea and China before moving to Turkey in 2021, and then Italy in 2022.

According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, Kim has a unique release clause of €60m (£52m) in his contract at Napoli which can only be activated between July 1 and July 15, meaning clubs can only acquire him for that price during a strict 2-week window.

Popular journalist, Fabrizio Romano tweeted;