Napoli star Kim Min-jae 'to complete military service in South Korea' before 'joining Manchester United'

A major stumbling block to Manchester United signing Kim Min-jae from Napoli is set to be removed, according to reports in Italy.

United have been strongly linked with a move for the South Korea international, who played a key role in Napoli winning the Serie A title this season for the first time in 33 years.

He made 45 appearances in all competitions for the Naples club this term and is now being lined up for a big-money move to the Premier League.

Kim has a release clause in his contract at Napoli which can only be activated between July 1 and July 15.

It will allow clubs to acquire him for a fee of €60m (£52m), according to Italian outlet Calciomercato.

United and Newcastle have both been linked with a move for the defender, who must first complete his compulsory military service in South Korea in the coming weeks before securing a transfer.

Kim 'set to join Man Utd' after military service

There were concerns that his military training could overlap with the two-week window for clubs to trigger his release clause, complicating the process of signing the defender and potentially preventing him from undergoing a medical.

But Italian outlet Il Matino (via Get Italian Football News) claim Kim has already travelled back to South Korea to complete his national service in advance of the two-week window.

It is also claimed that after Napoli's final league game against Sampdoria on Sunday, Kim said goodbye to all his Napoli teammates.

On Monday afternoon, movers are said to have arrived at his house in Italy and packed it up, with the defender not expected to return to Naples.

The report claims he has already returned to South Korea for his military training and is likely to join United once it is completed.

The arrival of Kim would allow United to focus their efforts on signing a new striker, which is their No 1 priority in the transfer window - with the club also in the market for midfield reinforcements.