Napoli are on the prowl for a new defender considering Kim Min-Jae’s likely departure. The South Korean star, who traveled to his home country for the draft, has already packed and booked the movers ahead of his transfer to England, Il Mattino reports. Manchester United lead the race, but Newcastle and Tottenham are keen too.
Manchester United have Kim Min-jae on their list since October and remains the main target. Release clause, only valid in July as United are in contact with agents; Newcastle are informed too. ? #MUFC
Understand Man Utd are also monitoring the French market for plan B options. pic.twitter.com/XNXy4yL54v
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 7, 2023
The Partenopei are tracking myriad options to succeed him. The latest additions to the list are Stuttgart’s Hiroki Ito and Borussia Moenchengladbach’s Ko Itakura. Feyenoord’s David Hancko also fell on their radar. He dished on the buzz from Slovenia (via Tuttomercatoweb).
“I have the feeling I will stay at Feyenoord next season. However, if something huge that can’t be refused and would be an improvement for my career came up, I would consult with the club.”
Kim Min-Jae’s agent Dee Hong hinted at his Napoli departure in a social media post (via Calciomercato)
“His journey in Italy has been wonderful. I’m very happy to see him conclude it with the best results he could achieve. He won the Scudetto and was named the best defender in Serie A. His passion and grit made it possible.”
Our Take on the Napoli Defense
They’ll have to find a supremely muscular center-back for the second consecutive summer. It won’t be easy, but they’ll have the resources to do it. If they want to continue signing players with relatively low wages, that could be a sticking point in the chases of top-tier options. Hancko would make sense only as compensation to Fiorentina for poaching Vincenzo Italiano if they have some sort of re-sale clause.
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