Napoli defender Kim Min-jae has already travelled back to South Korea and is ready to join Manchester United this summer, Corriere dello Sport claim (page 6).
The 26-year-old had a superb debut season with the Naples outfit in Serie A. He was a key player at the heart of their defence as they won the league title after 33 years.
Despite this, Min-jae could be on the move this summer. He currently has a €60 million foreign release clause in his contract, which will become active from July 1 to July 15.
United have already revealed their intention to trigger the buy-out clause, but they will need to stay patient with Min-jae back in South Korea for mandatory military training.
The service will last three weeks, and Corriere dello Sport claim that he will then join the Red Devils.
The centre-back left Naples this week with all of his belongings in suitcases ‘ready to go to Manchester United’. Napoli eye Fiorentina’s Nikola Milenkovic as his successor.
United edging closer to Min-jae deal
Min-jae had an exceptional debut season with Napoli. He kept an impressive 16 clean sheets in 35 Serie A games, conceding only 24 goals over the top-flight campaign.
The South Korean managed more than 3,000 touches over the entire league season. He completed 73 passes per appearance with an accuracy of 91 per cent.
The former Fenerbahce man also won 1.6 tackles and 4.6 duels per game. He also made 3.5 clearances on average and made life difficult for opposition strikers.
In our view, he would be an outstanding signing for United. Min-jae may come in as Harry Maguire’s replacement, but could establish himself as a starter.
Min-jae’s arrival would put the pressure on Raphael Varane for the right centre-back role. He should get his fair share of minutes with Varane’s injury record.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com
