Manchester United’s interest in Kim Min-jae (Napoli) has been intense, especially with manager Eric ten Haag showing interest in the player, and the British media has also reported on his past.

The Daily Mail reported on the 24th (KST) that “Manchester United are close to signing the world’s best center back, Kim Min-jae. The defender is dubbed the ‘Korean Monster’. Manager Eric ten Hagh is actively working to sign him,” the report said.

“In his first season with Napoli, Kim led the team to the Serie A title. His buyout clause is expected to be in the region of £40 million ($65 billion). Man United will make a move for Kim as soon as the transfer window opens this summer.”

Since joining Napoli this season, Kim has established himself as one of Serie A’s best defenders. He has improved under Luciano Spalletti and proved to be a top-class influence.

The same is true on the European stage. He helped Napoli reach the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League for the first time. Along with Victor Osimhen, he was part of Napoli’s core backline that won them the Scudetto, 33 years after Diego Maradona.

Although the 2022-2023 season is not yet finalized, the possibility of a move for Kim is increasing. Of course, qualifying for the UCL is the most important thing for Kim to do when choosing his next team. His agent has also expressed a strong desire.

“Kim joined Jeonbuk in 2016 and led the team to the K League title in 2017 and 2018,” the Daily Mail reported, “after graduating from Yonsei University, where his family ran a sashimi restaurant in Tongyeong.” The article goes on to explain how much attention Kim has gotten in the past.

The Daily Mail also reported, “Kim won a gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta-Palembang. In recognition of his achievement, he was granted a military exemption, meaning that instead of serving two years, he only had to undergo a few weeks of basic military training.” Although his military service was shortened, the outlet referred to it as “two years.

Kim has been a regular defender all season. He has played in 34 of the 36 Serie A matches so far. In the end, the performances of Kim and others helped Napoli clinch the title early with five games remaining.

Kim was also one of the best performers in the European competition. He started nine of Napoli’s 10 matches in the UEFA Champions League. The only game he missed was the quarterfinal second leg against AC Milan. He picked up a yellow card in the first leg of the quarterfinals and was unable to play due to accumulated cautions. Napoli failed to advance to the quarterfinals, falling to AC Milan.

The Red Devils have been working hard since last year and Kim Min-jae wants to play in the English Premier League, especially with a team that qualifies for the UCL as a prerequisite. United is expected to finish fourth in the Premier League and qualify for the UCL unless something drastic happens. That’s all the conditions they’re looking for.

United are very interested in Kim Min-jae. European transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano said: “As I have said many times, United have been sending scouts to watch Kim since November and December. They are definitely interested in him and see him as a very talented player. Man United are in talks with his side.”

If Kim does join United, he will likely compete with Raphael Varane and Lysandro Martinez for a starting spot, as reported in the UK. Varane was a member of France’s 2018 World Cup triumph in Russia, while Martinez was a member of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph in Qatar. They are joined by Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof.

“Kim Min-jae is leaving against Napoli’s wishes,” the Il Matino reported on April 20, adding that “despite some doubts, the deal with the Premier League club is virtually finalized” and that “they have even prepared a villa at Alderley Edge.”

Alderley Edge is located in the Cheshire region of England, near Manchester. It is a 30-minute drive from Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United, and is known for its expensive homes. It was once home to David Beckham and his wife, and is still home to many former Premier League players, including Rio Ferdinand, Dwight Yorke, and Ander Cole.

“United, who will pay Kim a salary of €9 million ($12.9 billion) a year, have yet to meet with Napoli but will pay a €65 million ($93.3 billion) buyout clause,” said Il Martino, adding that “Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis only wants cash, so United are looking to offer Swedish defender Viktor Lindelof as Kim’s replacement.” The implication is that some of the buyout money could be filled with players.

Il Martino had previously claimed on May 15 that “Kim Min-jae has agreed to join United, with only final details to be ironed out”. European media outlets have quoted the Italian as saying that a deal has been reached for Kim to join United at the end of the season.안전놀이터

Meanwhile, the Premier League announced on June 24 that “Premier League clubs can register new players between June 14 and September 1. The transfer window will open on June 14 and close at 11 p.m. on September 1.”

The Premier League used to hold the transfer window from July 1 to Aug. 31, but in recent years, it has steadily increased the length of the transfer window, and the window has been open for more than two months since the end of this season.