A new development has occurred in Manchester United’s pursuit of Kim Min-jae from Napoli.
What’s new with Kim Min-jae joining Manchester United?
The Red Devils and the 26-year-old appear to be close to coming to an agreement about personal terms, according to Italian writer Rudy Galetti.
“Man Utd made important progress for Kim (Napoli),” the transfer source said on Twitter. The [Korean] player and the negotiations are nearing a successful conclusion and a long-term deal.
In order to prepare for the increasingly severe competition, MUFC is considering paying the release clause.
A €60 million (£53 million) bid made outside of that time frame may also be accepted by the Serie A winners. According to 90min, that release clause is estimated to be in the neighbourhood of €45 million (£39 million) and is scheduled to become effective in the first two weeks of the summer transfer market.
Would Kim Min-jae be a wise acquisition for Manchester United?
It makes sense for manager Erik Ten Hag to be considering adding a star center-back this summer, especially with club captain Harry Maguire looking to go and Raphael Varane occasionally limited by injury in recent years.
Kim, a South Korean star who was instrumental in Napoli’s 2022–23 Scudetto victory, may very well be the player the Dutchman is getting who “truly is the best centre back in the world,” in the words of manager Luciano Spalletti.
For Spalletti’s team, the former Fenerbahce player was notable for keeping 14 clean sheets in 35 league games while also demonstrating his defensive abilities with an average of 1.6 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per game during that span.
Kim-Casemiro-Man-United-Premier-League-transfer
In the top 14% of players in his position in the top five leagues in Europe for aerial duels won, the “dominant” asset, as described by writer Neal Gardner, is a really threatening asset. The 47-cap ace’s towering 6 foot 3 stature undoubtedly helps.
With the former Ajax manager already reaping the benefits of bringing in the frightening presence of Casemiro last summer, the addition of the £54k per week rock would undoubtedly assist to add more steel to Ten Hag’s existing spine.
Like Kim, the £70 million player is a genuine expert at regaining possession for his team. He tied for fourth place in the Premier League in terms of tackles made (89), and he placed in the top 3% of players in Europe for aerial duels won.
The Brazilian’s skill in possession, which has been an extra plus for United, is another factor. The 31-year-old has so far this season in the top tier produced seven major opportunities and averaged one critical pass per game.
The former Beijing Guoan player Kim shares this aptitude with the ball, and his placement in the top 12% for both progressive passes and progressive carries demonstrates his ability to play out from the back with ease.
Given the destructive and ball-playing genius of the Napoli titan and Casemiro, it would thus be a tantalising idea to see them lined up together at the Theatre of Dreams next season.
