Manchester United are on the brink of sealing the transfer of Kim Min-jae after strong reports in the Italy media claimed a blockbuster move from Napoli was ‘practically done’.
United boss Erik ten hag has dragged the club kicking and screaming out of their malaise during his first season in charge. With the Carabao Cup alredy in the bag, a second trophy could follow if they can see off Manchester City in the FA Cup final. More importantly, a top-four finish will also see the club bring Champions League football back to Old Trafford.
Plans are another monumental summer of transfers are already underway at United. And Ten Hag is reportedly looking to strengthen all over the park with at least three blockbuster signings to further close the gap on the Premier League elite.
Indeed, the United boss will pin most of his focus on strengthening in attack. And with Anthony Martial poised to join Wout Weghorst in leaving, Saturday’s Transfer Gossip claims the Red Devils could sign two new strikers.
But before any striker deal gets done, Ten Hag is reportedly looking to strengthen his defensive options. And while Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez are firmly established as first-choice centre-halves, their back-up options are very much up in the air.
To that end, the club has already confirmed Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe will exit the club this summer.
Furthermore, ongoing doubts over club captain Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly could leave United short of cover.
However, a solution appears to be close in the form of Kim.
The South Korean has enjoyed an excellent season, having helped Napoli to a first Serie A crown in 33 years.
Kim transfer for Man Utd ‘agreed’
He arrived as a summer replacement for Kalidou Koulibaly, who moved on to Chelsea. And Kim has exceeded all expectations since making the move, quickly establishing himself as one of Serie A’s best defenders.
However, an exit clause in his grants suitors the chance to prise him away for a relatively-modest fee during two weeks in July.
As a result, reports this week have claimed United are ready to activate this, potentially even paying Napoli a premium on that fee to secure the move early.
While these reports have since been denied by the player’s representatives, strong claims in Italy have now delivered a significant update.
And according to Il Matino, a deal to take Kim to Old Trafford is ‘practially done’ and will be done ‘regardless of Napoli’s will’.
And despite noting his agent’s doubts, they claim the move is so far down the line that the 26-year-old has already found himself a villa in the leafy Cheshire village of Alderley Edge.
They also claim Kim has agreed a deal with United worth €9m a season – around £150,000 a week – although United are yet to officially meet with Napoli to discuss the transfer.
However, that appears something of a moot point with Napoli powerless to prevent United triggering his clause.
United ready to trigger Kim exit clause
Il Matino do, however, claim the clause is actually set at some €65m (£56.6m) which is higher than previously stated.
And in order to bring down the costs, United reportedly hope to include Lindelof as a makeweight and to bring down the fee.
However, they claim angry Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis will reject the proposal and will at the very least make sure United pay up every penny of his star defender’s release.
That said, Il Matino are convinced the deal will go through with it now just a question of when rather than if Kim signs for United.