Ten Hag £51m plan scuppered as Man Utd target is ‘internally discussed’ by Bayern board

Manchester United are set to face competition from Bayern Munich for the signing of Napoli centre-back Kim Min-jae, according to reports in Germany.

Min-jae is expected to be on the move this summer after one year in Naples.

He has been very impressive in Italy, helping Napoli win their first Serie A title in 33 years.

The South Korean international was strongly linked with a move to Tottenham before joining the Italian giants from Fenerbahce.

Manchester United were also believed to be interested and now appear to be convinced after Min-jae’s stellar 2022/23 campaign.

It has been reported this week that the Red Devils have agreed a deal to sign Min-jae.

According to Il Mattino, the 26-year-old has agreed to join the Premier League club, who will pay his £51million release clause that is active for the first two weeks of July.

Napoli have been working on a new deal with the defender so they can avoid losing him for under his market value in the summer.

A report from 90min on Wednesday stated that Kim has in fact rejected a new deal at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.

This report claims that Paris Saint-Germain, Newcastle United and Erik ten Hag’s side are all interested.

And now Bayern Munich have been thrown into the transfer mixer by reliable German journalist Florian Plettenberg.

Writing on Twitter, Plettenberg claimed the Bavarian giants have added the Napoli star to their summer wish list.

Min-jae has been ‘discussed internally’ due to his ‘interesting profile’, which could hinder the Red Devils’ wish to get a deal done as soon as possible.

It is noted that nothing with Bayern is ‘advanced’ at this stage after they were ‘informed on contract conditions’.

Plettenberg emphasises that the Bundesliga champions’ pursuit of the South Korean will depend on the futures of French defenders Benjamin Pavard and Theo Hernandez.

The German added later on Wednesday evening: “Min-jae Kim, definitely a player to watch for. Confirmed again! He could become a hot transfer target in the next weeks.

“But: Bayern aware of the fact that ManUtd is pushing for him. Ten Hag wants him, confirmed!”

It has been reported this month that United are interested in signing Pavard, who will reportedly not extend his Bayern contract which ends in 2024.

Hernandez, meanwhile, is the subject of interest from Paris Saint-Germain and ‘wants to leave’ Bayern this summer, Plettenberg claims.

Bayern are expected to ask for more than €60million for the French international.

The German giants ‘want to keep’ the player, who has made it clear he wishes to join PSG. It is said Hernandez has a contract offer on the table from Thomas Tuchel’s side.

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