.png)
Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Topics: Football, Premier League, Manchester United, Napoli, Transfers
Chris Byfield
Topics: Football, Premier League, Manchester United, Napoli, Transfers
Kim Min-jae’s representatives have denied reports that the Napoli centre-back has agreed to join Manchester United this summer.
Kim has been a revelation for Napoli in his debut season, having played a central role in the club’s first Serie A triumph in 33 years.
The defender has played in all but two of the Azzurri's 35 league encounters, and contributed to the Italian giants boasting the second-best defence in Europe’s top five leagues, behind Barcelona.
Advert
And on Monday Italian outlet Il Mattino claimed United have convinced Kim to move to Old Trafford, with only the final details of a move still to be completed.
However, the South Korea international’s representatives have since denied such claims.
The player’s ‘entourage’ told Star News Korea: “It’s not true that a deal is closed with Manchester United.
“There is no hurry for the future. United have been interested in Kim since he was in China, we only spoke but I repeat: there has been no concrete contact.”
Il Mattino claim Kim has said 'yes' to joining United after being offered a €9million (£7.8million) per year salary and that the Old Trafford club have informed Napoli they will pay the player’s release clause this summer.
The South Korean’s release clause reportedly stands at €56million (£48million), and should United trigger it they are free to negotiate personal terms with the 26-year-old.
Advert
However, Kim’s release fee can allegedly only be triggered this summer, between July 1 and July 15.
Napoli would be free to significantly increase the player's asking price should United miss the July 15 deadline.
Kim would be an excellent addition to Erik ten Hag's ranks, and would add further quality to a United backline that already includes Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez.
The former Fenerbahçe star was the recipient of massive praised by Napoli boss Luciano Spalletti, who even described him as "the best defender in the world".