Kim Min-jae Stalls on Napoli Contract Amid Manchester United and Newcastle Interest
Kim Min-jae, the South Korean international defender, is reportedly stalling on signing a new contract with Napoli. The new contract would remove his release clause, which currently allows him to leave for a fee of around £42 million from July 1. This news has sparked interest from both Manchester United and Newcastle, who are both keen to secure his services.
Kim Min-jae’s Career So Far
Kim Min-jae joined Napoli last summer from Fenerbahce as a replacement for Kalidou Koulibaly. He played a key role in helping Napoli end their 33-year wait for the Scudetto, and his performances saw him named as Serie A’s Best Defender of the 2022/23 season. Kim is tied down in Naples until 2025, but his recent form has attracted interest from some of Europe’s top clubs.
Manchester United’s Interest in Kim Min-jae
Manchester United has been linked with Kim Min-jae for some time now. The Red Devils are keen to secure his services to provide competition for Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez. If United manages to sign the defender, it would likely spell the end of club captain Harry Maguire’s time in Manchester. A leading bookmaker has even suspended betting on Kim’s potential switch to Old Trafford.
Newcastle’s Interest in Kim Min-jae
Newcastle is also interested in signing Kim Min-jae. Magpies boss Eddie Howe is looking to bolster his squad after securing Champions League football. The Toon also holds interest in ex-Leicester man Maguire, along with Aston Villa.
Kim Min-jae’s Future
It remains to be seen where Kim Min-jae will end up, but it is clear that he has attracted interest from some of Europe’s top clubs. Napoli is desperate to keep hold of the defender, but if he does leave, it will likely be for a significant fee. Manchester United and Newcastle are both keen to secure his services, and it will be interesting to see where he ends up.
Conclusion
Kim Min-jae is stalling on signing a new contract with Napoli amid interest from Manchester United and Newcastle. The South Korean international defender played a key role in helping Napoli win the Scudetto last season, and his performances have attracted interest from some of Europe’s top clubs. It remains to be seen where he will end up, but if he does leave Napoli, it will likely be for a significant fee. Manchester United and Newcastle are both keen to secure his services, and it will be interesting to see where he ends up.