After steamrolling to their first Scudetto since 1990, newly-crowned Serie A champions Napoli are at risk of falling victim to their historic success.
From the Capocannoniere award-winner Victor Osimhen to dazzling winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to defensive cornerstone Kim Min-jae, several Partenopei stars have seen their value skyrocket in their title-winning campaign.
But while the Nigerian’s staggering price tag of £130 million will likely make him prohibitive for most European clubs, Min-jae could hit the road in the summer.
Only one season at the Diego Maradona Stadium was enough to put the South Korea international on the football map, making him one of the most in-demand prospects on the market.
Brought in to replace Kalidou Kouliably, he reigned supreme in his first season in Serie A, attracting attention from numerous top European clubs, including Manchester United.
However, Erik ten Hag’s bid to team the 26-year-old with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez has suffered a blow, with Napoli aiming to extend the defender’s contract.
Although his current deal expires in 2025, a £50m release clause is what makes Aurelio De Laurentiis sweat, forcing him to take a seat at the negotiating table sooner than expected, per the Telegraph.
Known for turning his star players into forbidden assets for interested parties, the Napoli president won’t sit back and watch other clubs make a raid on his title-winning squad.
As he often did in the past with the likes of Lorenzo Insigne, Marek Hamsik and Koulibaly, De Laurentiis will fight tooth and nail to keep hold of his formidable trio.
Heavily linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur three years ago before joining Fenerbahce, Min-jae has now emerged as Man United’s top centre-back target.
However, negotiating with Napoli will take plenty of time and effort, and there are no guarantees they could be persuaded to sell him.
On that basis, the Red Devils are well advised to seek other targets. Trying to convince De Laurentiis to offload one of his standout performers could cost United plenty of time with no end result.
