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Liverpool hold a key advantage over Manchester United in the race to sign Napoli defender Kim Min-jae, according to reports.
The Red Devils are in the market for a new centre-back this summer, and the 26-year-old has emerged as a possible addition.
He has established himself as one of the cornerstones of Napoli's title-chasing team, helping the Italian side to a 19-point lead at the top of Serie A.
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It is claimed that Kim has a release clause of £43million attached to his contract that will run for two weeks in July, when several clubs could battle it out for his signature.
Liverpool to rival Man Utd for Kim
Liverpool and Tottenham are also interested in signing the South Korean, reports Ben Jacobs.
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Whilst he believes the pair have a significant advantage over Manchester United, as the presence of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez could block Kim's pathway to the first team.
“Manchester United are in a difficult position with that type of player because he sees himself as a starting centre-back and they’ve obviously got Martinez and Varane there," Jacobs told TEAMtalk. "But there’s other teams that are looking to drop somebody straight into their starting lineup.
“Tottenham are another club that have scouted the player and they would be looking to bring in a starting centre-back, as with Liverpool as well.
“And I think that would give those two clubs a slight advantage over Manchester United, because if Erik ten Hag is going to play a back four and Varane and Martinez are fit, then it becomes extremely difficult to persuade a player in the form and with the potential of Kim Min-jae to go to Old Trafford over those two other clubs. Especially when you consider that he’s not an 18-year-old."
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Kim's fine form clearly hasn't gone unnoticed, with Napoli boss Luciano Spalletti labelling him "incredible" during a glowing review.
“I’ve seen few players in my life and career with the skills and qualities of Kim Min-jae," said Spalletti.
"He’s incredible, always aggressive — he deserves to start every game”.
Topics: Liverpool, Manchester United, Napoli, Football, Transfers, Jurgen Klopp, Erik Ten Hag
Joe Adams