Napoli defender Kim Min-jae has decided to join Manchester United this summer and negotiations between the clubs also include a move for in-demand striker Victor Osimhen.
Kim, 26, has been linked with a summer switch to Old Trafford for months despite only moving to Naples last year. The South Korean international enjoyed a tremendous campaign as he starred in the club’s remarkable Serie A title-winning campaign, but his contract is believed to contain a €50million (£43m) release clause.
United have earmarked the defensive star as a key summer target and the player has been convinced on a move. It comes after Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag insisted that players are now desperate to move to United despite some hesitancy last summer when he took the job.
Talks between the two clubs for Kim are complimenting that of Osimhen, Napoli’s star striker who United are also keen on signing. The Red Devils first outlined their interest to the club last August and Napoli are open to a sale for the right price this summer.
United scouts attended Napoli’s Champions League clash against Milan last month, when the Nigerian found the net but it was not enough for his side to progress in Europe but Osimhen’s goals fired the Italian club to their first league title in 33 years. The 24-year-old is highly regard by United transfer chiefs and he heads the club’s striking shortlist.
A report in Naples-based Il Mattino affirms that United are in pole position to land Osimhen this summer with their interest accelerating due to Newcastle and Paris Saint-Germain monitoring the Nigerian’s situation. Chelsea sent scouts to watch him in Sunday’s two-goal loss at Monza. The report continues that the same figures involved in convincing Kim to join United are attempting to make the Osimhen deal a reality.
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Indeed, the report adds that figures at Napoli believes that Osimhen is distracted by the interest from Premier League clubs. There is a growing sense that Napoli will cash-in on the player this summer, and only should they receive an offer which they see as impossible to refuse.
Osimhen spoke in March that it would be his “dream” to play in the Premier League as links with him moving to Old Trafford intensified. United have subsequently sent scouts to monitor the striker’s play.
The striker said: "I think playing in one of the top five leagues in the world is an amazing feeling for me. A lot of people worldwide consider the Premier League as the best and the strongest league but now I'm in one of the best leagues in the world which is the Italian Serie A.
"I'm working so hard to make sure that I achieve my dream of playing in the Premier League someday but as I said, it's a process and I just want to keep on this momentum and continue to do well."
