Tottenham boosted as €18m-rated star ‘hopes’ to join Conte’s side – Everton, Napoli also ‘competing’
According to reports, Fenerbache defender Kim Min-jae is ‘hoping’ to join Tottenham Hotspur this summer amid interest from Everton and Napoli.
Tottenham have already brought in the likes of Richarlison, Ivan Perisic and Yves Bissouma this summer. They are also in the market for a new centre-back.
Following spells in South Korea and China, Min-jae signed for Fenerbache ahead of the 2021/22 campaign for around €3m.
Most expensive new signings XI costs £470m and features eight from Premier League
The centre-back played 40 times for the Turkish side last term and this includes several outings in the Europa League.
Min-jae is Son Heung-Min’s international teammate. They are both key players for South Korea.
Area Napoli (via Sport Witness) are reporting that Min-jae is being considered by the Italian side as a replacement for Kalibou Kouliblay. The Senegal international is set to sign for Chelsea.
A separate report from Corriere del Mezzogiorno notes that Napoli ‘must beat competition’ from Tottenham Hotspur and Everton.
The player is ‘hoping’ to join Tottenham, but it is noted that Antonio Conte ‘has made other choices for the heart of his defence’.
Fenerbache are clear that they want Min-Jae’s €18m exit clause ‘to be paid in one shot’ this summer.
Meanwhile, Antonio Conte has offered an insight into where Richarlison will play for Tottenham Hotspur next season following his summer move from Everton.
They beat Team K League 6-3 on Wednesday in their first friendly ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.
Richarlison played in the win and he has been praised by Conte. The Italian thinks the ex-Everton man is capable of playing in all three forward positions:
“Today I’ve seen a lot of positive things about Richarlison,” Conte said during his post-match press conference (as cited by Football London).
“The first half he played like a number nine and the second half he played on the right, behind the striker. I think he can play in all these three positions.
“I think he is strong physically and a good personality, good character, good quality. For sure also for Richy in this period, he is working and we are working on the tactical aspects with him because he has to go into our idea. At the same time, we have to work on the physical aspects for him to be fit.
“But for sure he is a player that gives me important positions up front. He’s is a good player, strong and very good [at] protecting the ball and attacking the space. Also, he made a good assist, I’m very happy that we signed him.”
