Fenerbahce stopper Kim Min-jae is set to appear in Europe’s top five leagues for the first time in his career after a verbal agreement was struck with suitors Napoli. Having already signed Norwegian defender Leo Ostigard from Brighton, the Partenopei are now inches away from securing a deal for a second center-back.
Reports circulated late last week regarding a potential deal between French outfit Rennes and Fenerbahce, but Sky transfer market expert Gianluca Di Marzio indicates Napoli are ‘one step away’ from exercising the release clause set by the Turkish giants.
Il Mattino : Le #Napoli a définitivement doublé le Stade Rennais dans le dossier Kim Min-jae. Contrat jusqu’en 2027, salaire de 2,6M€. La clause libératoire (20M) va être levée. pic.twitter.com/uxL1w9Vob2
— GuillaumeMP (@Guillaumemp) July 20, 2022
Negotiations have accelerated at a fast pace between the two parties after the defender himself gave the green light. Details regarding his image rights and commissions were settled during the last meeting and now only terms of payment terms remain to be evaluated.
The Partenopei have reportedly offered a five-year contract worth €2.6M net per season.
Napoli, Kim Min-Jae transferinde sona yaklaştı. Güney Koreli futbolcuya yıllık 2,5 Milyon € maaş ödenecek. Fenerbahçe 20 Milyon € bonservis bedeli kazanacak.⌛️ pic.twitter.com/wHi7a7EsZm
— Sporx (@sporx) July 20, 2022
Napoli are expected to part with €20M, meeting the asking price set by Fenerbahce, who are unlikely to budge. His transfer is anticipated to be concluded by virtue of two annual installments of €10M, as per La Gazzetta dello Sport (via TuttoNapoli).
The southerners are eager to fill the great void left in defense due to the departure of Kalidou Koulibaly to Chelsea. With Ostigard already onboard, the Korean is bound to be the next in line. Kim Min-jae has been followed closely by a host of top clubs, including Tottenham and Inter. The 25-year-old has a career total of 176 appearances.