Newcastle have been credited with an interest in the South Korean central defender Kim Min-Jae despite reports a deal to Manchester United is ‘close’. Reports in Italy suggest that Eddie Howe wants to hijack Manchester United’s move for the Napoli defender and bring him to St James Park.
Kim is understood to have a release clause in his contract for around £50 million, something which is interesting Europe’s big hitters. But what would the South Korean bring to St James Park if he signed?
A predominantly right-sided central defender, Kim could be the ideal long-term replacement for Fabian Schar who is now entering his 30s, while Kim is only 26.
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The defender joined current side Napoli just last summer and had a hugely successful first season in Italy. Kim was a part of the Napoli team which won the Serie A and reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Napoli could have gone further but Kim missed the second leg of the quarters through suspension.
Kim was only booked on five occasions during the league last season, despite playing in 35 of the 38 Serie A games. The Naples side conceded only 26 times in the Italian league this season and ended up cruising to the title.
Min-Jae's aggression towards forwards is a key strength and part of the reason he has been given the nickname of ‘the monster’. While strength is often an alternative to pace, Kim possesses both, leaving him well equipped for the Premier League.
His ability on the ball is also a strength, something Eddie Howe will be looking for in a defender, with playing out from the back now a crucial requirement in United’s style under Howe.
There is a reason his former Napoli manager Luciano Spalletti named Kim as the ‘best defender in the world’, but it remains to be seen if Newcastle can or are willing to try and beat Manchester United to the defender this summer.
