Manchester United are preparing a €60 million bid to sign Napoli star Kim Min-jae in the summer transfer window, according to reports.
The South Korea defender has played a key role in Napoli securing the Serie A title for the first time since 1990, which they did so as a result of a 1-1 draw against Udinese earlier this week.
He replaced Kalidou Koulibaly in Luciano Spalletti's back line following the Senegalese defender's departure to Chelsea last summer, and has been one of Europe's top centre-backs earlier this season.
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Earlier this season, Jose Mourinho stated that he wanted to sign Kim whilst Tottenham manager - but the club did not sanction a move.
Now, however, it could be United who secure the signature of a player they have been linked with throughout the 2022/23 season.
Man Utd 'prepare €60 million Kim Min-jae bid'
According to Italian outlet Correire dello Sport, Erik ten Hag's side are planning a huge offer to convince Napoli to sell one of their star assets this summer.
It is claimed that such a bid will put the club in pole position to secure one of their targets this summer, with United in need of a new centre-back if a sale of Victor Lindelof or Harry Maguire is sanctioned.
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Fellow Italian outlet Calciomercato reported earlier this year that Kim has a €45 million release clause as part of his Napoli contract - but that it only comes into play between the dates of July 1-15.
Therefore, United's reported early bid would appear to put them in the driving seat to seal a deal for Kim prior to the release clause becoming active, allowing them to avoid competition from teams looking to trigger it.
Earlier this season, Kim stated that transfer links to other clubs 'disturb[ed]' him - and that he only focuses on his current club.
He told 'You Quiz on the Block' (quotes via Daily Mirror): "There are a lot of transfer stories around me, but I've only been at Napoli for six months.
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"I've avoided interviews, and one of the reasons is that the rumours about me disturb me."
Topics: Premier League, Napoli, Manchester United, Transfers, Erik Ten Hag
Ryan Smart