According to a recent update, Chelsea has entered the race to sign influential Napoli center-back Kim Min-jae during the summer transfer window.
Kim Min-jae departing from Naples?
The 26-year-old had an outstanding campaign for Napoli, helping them win the Serie A championship for the first time since 1990 and establishing himself as one of their key players. With an average of 3.5 clearances per game over 35 league games, Kim was a defensive rock for his team, and it appears that the rest of Europe has taken notice.
The South Korean, who earns £33,000 per week, has been repeatedly linked to Manchester United, and it appears that he may leave Napoli after the summer.
In the upcoming transfer window, Chelsea is seeking to add significant defensive players, and a new report suggests Kim might be a target.
Kim-Casemiro-Man-United-Premier-League-transfer
Do Chelsea want to bring Kim Min-jae to the club?
Both the Blues and Newcastle United have reportedly entered the race to sign the 47-cap South Korean international, giving United fierce competition in the process, according to Foot Mercato [via Caught Offside].
Kalidou Koulibaly, who also joined Chelsea from Napoli last summer but had a somewhat disappointing debut campaign at Stamford Bridge and only started 20 out of 38 top-flight games, is seen as a more successful acquisition by the club.
Although the lack of European football on offer by the Blues is a glaring disadvantage, Kim could be a sensational signing for them this summer. Both United and Newcastle can provide that for him, potentially moving them ahead of the west Londoners in line.
Park Ji-sung, a fellow countryman and former United midfielder, recently called the defender “extraordinary” and said that he is a “technical leader and personality” who could improve the Chelsea defence going forward.
Kim would be a younger option who can guide the troops for a number of years to come, whereas Koulibaly, Thiago Silva, and Cesar Azpilicueta are all in their 30s.
Kim, a strong player in and out of possession, averaged 3.6 clearances per game in the Champions League and had an impressive 91% pass completion rate in Serie A last season. It would feel like a major accomplishment for Chelsea to choose him over their rivals because there aren’t many more impressive and effective players in Europe at this time in his position.
