Kim Min-Jae to Manchester United latest as conflicting reports emerge

Kim Min-Jae’s proposed move to Manchester United has been circling both Italian and English media of late, with some conflicting reports emerging in the last few days.

Napoli and South Korean defender Kim Min-Jae has been a crucial part of Napoli’s 2022/23 Serie A win and run to the Champions League final.

He has been of interest to Manchester United this calendar year, with Erik ten Hag reportedly keen to add another central defender to his ranks this summer.

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This comes as no surprise, as with Harry Maguire rumoured to be leaving this summer and both Axel Tuanzebe and Phil Jones both being released come the end of their contracts, the centre-back department is light on bodies.

However, there has been some conflict in relation to the latest reports of United’s move for Min-Jae, with Italian media expressing that the deal is much closer than English media suggest.

Italian outlet Il Mattino reported on Friday that Min-Jae is ‘set for his Napoli farewell’, confirming that the defender is set to leave Naples this summer.

It was further reported on Sunday by journalist Alfredo Pedulla that Manchester United have already met twice with Min-Jae with a salary of between £5-6 million per annum, with Daniele Longo adding that the player is ready to agree to the contract and that United are gearing up to pay his release clause, which is said to be just above £50 million.

However, Simon Jones from the Daily Mail has stated that although United do host interest in signing a central defender, the deal is not as close as those in Italy claim.

With United reportedly looking to find a new club for Harry Maguire, they are said to be looking at defenders such as the aforementioned Kim Min-Jae, however, there is no more than just solid interest on the table.

If United are to activate Min-Jae’s release clause in order to sign him, they will have to do so in the first 15 days of June.