Italian media outlets have also recognized that Kim Min-jae (27) is becoming increasingly distant from Napoli.
“Manchester United (Man Utd) have no plans to let Kim Min-jae go,” the Italian publication SportBy claimed on July 27 (KST), adding, “The English club, which qualified for next season’s UEFA Champions League, is planning to sign Kim, one of the players who has been part of Napoli’s incredible season and undoubtedly the key to Napoli’s title success.”
As the claim goes, Kim was a key defender for Napoli as they won their first Serie A title in 33 years. He erased pre-season concerns by seamlessly filling the void left by Kalidou Koulibaly (32, Chelsea), who was deemed ‘irreplaceable’.
Kim’s price tag, which was only €18 million when he joined Napoli from Fenerbahçe (Turkkiye) in July last year, has been matched by a buyout clause of between €50 million and €60 million ($71.2 billion and $85.5 billion). That’s more than three times as much.
“Last year, chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis and president Cristiano Giuntoli only finalized the deal for Kim Min-jae on the last day of the market. But it included a buyout clause that the player’s camp wanted,” the outlet explained.
“Now, United will use that buyout clause to sign Kim without Napoli being able to put up any resistance, by paying an estimated €58 million 토토사이트.”
It’s not just the Red Devils who are chasing offers to satisfy the buyout clause, which can only be triggered between July 1 and 15, but the list of big clubs includes Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Newcastle United, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Bayern Munich, Barcelona, and Real Madrid.
Considered by some to be the “best defender in the world,” Kim Min-jae is actually worth more than €90 million ($12.82 billion) or €100 million ($14.25 billion). That’s practically the equivalent of a top striker.
Finally, the outlet acknowledged that Napoli may not be able to hold on to Kim Min-jae, saying, “The South Korean wall, much loved by fans, seems destined to leave after just one season in the blue Napoli jersey.”