Manchester United “are looking” at potentially making a move for Napoli and South Korea centre-back Kim Min-jae, with doubts over Harry Maguire’s future at Old Trafford, according to journalist Carlo Garganese.
The 26-year-old is currently in Qatar on World Cup duty for Paulo Bento’s side.
What’s the latest news on Kim Min-jae?
According to BBC pundit Danny Murphy who had been “speaking to someone” from Manchester United (via the Express) the Red Devils are interested in adding Min-Jae to their squad, but he is valued at £100m.
However, despite the former Liverpool player’s quotes, there have been suggestions that the Napoli superstar has a release clause of £43m in his contract at the Serie A club, with Tottenham Hotspur having a long-standing interest in the defender.
The same source suggests that reports in Italy say that Napoli are trying to offer the 45-time South Korean international a new deal to remove the release clause.
Meanwhile, United are preparing to let current England centre-back Maguire leave the club next summer, with the defender not currently in ten Hag’s plans.
And Garganese believes that United are looking at Min-jae, and suggests that there’s a “good chance” that Maguire will leave Old Trafford come the end of the season.
What has Garganese said about Kim Min-jae?
“I do know that Manchester United are looking at him [Kim Min-jae].
“Maguire, I think there’s a good chance he will leave at the end of the season so there will be a space, especially with Varane getting injuries, getting on, maybe not being as good as people hoped.”
What next for Kim Min-jae at the World Cup?
Despite transfer interest from both Manchester United and Spurs, Min-jae’s main focus will currently be on attempting to guide South Korea to a spot in the knockout stages of the World Cup.
The former Fenerbahce man, who is nicknamed “monster” because of his 6 foot 3 height, played the full 90 minutes in his side’s 0-0 draw with Uruguay, helping the Asian nation keep a clean sheet against a side including Luis Suárez and Darwin Núñez in attack.
South Korea will face Ghana in their second tournament game on Monday before their group-stage campaign ends with a Friday afternoon meeting with Portugal next week.
A solid showing in these two fixtures could increase Min-jae’s valuation further and could encourage United to make their move in January ahead of any other Premier League or European suitors for his signatures, suggesting that ten Hag’s side may have to move quickly to keep this deal under wraps.
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