Napoli defender Kim Min-jae is a transfer target for Manchester United this summer but the details of his release clause and interest from Bayern Munich means any deal is likely to be complicated.
Kim, 26, has been linked with a summer switch to Old Trafford for months after starring in Napoli’s run to the title. The South Korean only joined the Serie A club last season from Fenerbahce but such were the level of his performances, he has admirers across Europe’s top clubs.
Napoli are a notoriously difficult club to negotiate with due to their strong financial position and desire to retain their star players. However, Kim does have a release clause in his contract, meaning that clubs have been alerted and are keen on concluding a deal this summer.
That clause is somewhat convoluted; it is only active for two weeks between 1-15 July, meaning that any club looking to sign Kim this summer must prioritise a deal and move swiftly. United are prioritising a move for Chelsea's Mason Mount and the signing of at least one new striker and a goalkeeper, meaning that their budget for Kim is dependent on other factors.
As outlined by Gianluca di Marzio, Kim’s release clause is only available for non-Italian clubs and, particularly notably, is dependent upon the buying club’s turnover. Therefore, it is believed that United and Bayern would need to pay more than £43million, and the figure could be closer to £60million.
The same report suggests that Bayern’s interest in the defender is more advanced and concrete than United’s, and they are indeed in pole position to land Kim this summer. There is also interest from Newcastle, but a move to the Bundesliga is now thought to be the primary option.
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Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof will all be central defenders for United next season, but club captain Harry Maguire is set to leave the club. Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe have already left at the expiration of their contracts.
Returning loanee defenders Alex Telles and Eric Bailly are expected to be sold permanently while Brandon Williams is also available for transfer. Luke Shaw was deployed in central defence at times this season, showing the need for reinforcement, with United boss Erik ten Hag keen to add a signing into the position.
