Newcastle look to ‘hijack Manchester United’s pursuit of £56m Napoli defender Kim Min-Jae’ despite his move to Old Trafford being ‘practically done’
- Newcastle have registered an interest in signing Kim Min-Jae this summer
- However, Newcastle will have to fend off interest from Manchester United
- The defender caught Howe’s attention after helping Napoli win the Serie A title
Newcastle have registered an interest in signing Kim Min-Jae after Manchester United identified the Napoli defender as one of their key targets for the summer transfer window.
United manager Erik ten Hag wants to strengthen his defensive line ahead of the 2023-2024 campaign and named the South Korea international as one of his primary targets.
However, Ten Hag will have to fend off interest from Newcastle as the Magpies are looking to reinforce their back line after securing Champions League football.
According to talkSPORT, Eddie Howe has identified Kim as the defender he would like to sign during the summer transfer window.
The South Korean international has a release clause in his contract valid for the first half of July – which Howe will look to activate.
Newcastle registered an interest in signing Kim Min-Jae after United identified him as a target
The South Korean international has a release clause in his contract valid for the first half of July
Erik ten Hag (left) and Eddie Howe (right) will battle it out to sign the defender
Kim caught Howe’s attention after helping Napoli win the Serie A title for the first time since 1990 despite being in his first season at the club.
However, Howe faces an uphill battle to sign Kim as a ‘transfer to Premier League giants Manchester United is practically done’.
According to a report from The Sun, Manchester United have identified a house for Min-Jae to live in following the deal.
They’ve also stated Kim will play a major role at the club given four of United’s defenders are expected to move on this summer.
The report is also states that Min-Jae will definitely leave Napoli at the end of the season regardless of Napoli’s attempts to keep hold of him.
Kim made 33 top-flight appearances in Italy and spurred them on with strong performances in their promising Champions League campaign.
Kim only arrived in Naples at the start of the season after securing a three-year contract with an option for the club to extend the deal for an additional two years.
Napoli paid £16million (€18.5m) for Kim to bring him to Campania from Turkish Super Lig club Fenerbache as they looked to replace Kalidou Koulibaly.
Therefore, the Red Devils would have to pay the defender’s release clause, which the Serie A side has reportedly set at £56m
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