Man Utd ‘hijacked’ as European giants are ‘close to full agreement’ for £60m Ten Hag target
According to reports, Man Utd could be set to miss out on Napoli star Kim Min-jae as German giants Bayern Munich are trying to sign him.
The South Korea international has made huge waves since signing for Napoli from Turkish outfit Fenerbache last summer for around £15m.
The 26-year-old was one of the best defenders in Italy during the 2022/23 campaign as he helped Napoli win Serie A at a canter.
Min-jae’s performances have caught the attention of several clubs around Europe and he has been heavily linked with a potential move to Man Utd in recent months.
Erik ten Hag is expected to be in the market for a new centre-back as Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof could both move elsewhere this summer.
But German journalist Christian Falk has warned United that Min-jae is Bayern Munich’s ‘top defensive target’.
‘Bayern are currently working through their defence, midfield and attacking shortlists,’ Falk wrote for Caught Offside.
‘Napoli’s Kim Min-jae is now at the top of the list in Munich and the reason for that is Lucas Hernandez has recently informed his bosses at Bayern that he would like to go to Paris Saint-Germain.
‘Bayern are expecting an offer of €50m euros from PSG for Hernandez and their bid for Kim Min-jae depends on this. That’s because the South Korean’s contract exit clause until 2025 is said to also be for the same amount.
‘The pursuit of Kim Min-jae will put Bayern into battle with Manchester United and the Red Devils should be warned – the player is Bayern’s top defensive target this summer.’
This is while a report from transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claims ‘Bayern are getting closer to reaching full agreement on personal terms with Min-jae’.
Romano adds that Bayern Munich have already informed Min-jae that they will ‘pay his release clause in July’.
READ MORE: Football’s most laughable add-ons and clauses that were dismissed out of hand
Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke adds that Man Utd ‘fear they could lose out on a deal for Napoli defender Min-jae to Bayern Munich’. He explains.
‘The Red Devils have made the 26-year-old a top target and have launched enquiries over a deal for the centre-back.
‘But Bayern have now hijacked the deal and are now moving to seal a quick agreement with Kim.
‘The South Korea international has a release clause in his Napoli contract, which runs until 2025 and earns him a reported wage of just over £53,000-a-week.
‘It is believed that the clause becomes active next month and could be worth close to £60million.’
READ MORE: Lukaku, Pepe, Bailly and 17 more loan players who might not be wanted back home
