Manchester United have ‘practically closed’ a deal to sign Napoli star Kim Min-jae, according to reports in Italy. The South Korea international is being eyed by Erik ten Hag as the Dutchman looks to get his side challenging for the Premier League title again. However, while the 53-year-old is seemingly open to using Victor Lindelof in a swap deal, there are still several hurdles left to overcome.
According to Il Mattino, Kim is primed to leave Napoli for Manchester when the transfer window reopens at the end of the season.
It’s claimed a deal for the South Korea international is ‘practically done’, with the Red Devils having a property on standby to provide the centre-back with.
The report does say, however, that United are still hoping to drive down the price for the 26-year-old.
The Red Devils face paying £56million, which is believed to be the player’s release clause.
But Ten Hag is apparently hoping to use Lindelof as part of the deal for Kim in the hope it would lessen Napoli’s resolve.
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However, while that’s the case, the new Serie A giants ‘want only cash’ in order to let their star defender go.
Kim seemingly has a contract with United all wrapped up, with the Napoli star set to earn nearly £8m per season over at Old Trafford.
And should a deal take place, both Lindelof and Harry Maguire could potentially leave the club behind for a new challenge.
Lindelof has done well since coming into the side following Lisandro Martinez’s season-ending injury back in April.
But he’s long been inconsistent and Ten Hag wants more stability as he looks to reel in rivals such as Manchester City and Arsenal.
As for Maguire, United thought they’d struck gold when they signed the England international from Leicester back in the summer transfer window of 2019.
He was a key player for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer during the 50-year-old’s stint in the dugout.
However, under Ten Hag, he’s struggled to make his mark and has fallen behind the likes of Lindelof, Martinez and Raphael Varane in the club’s pecking order.
United did turn down an approach from Inter Milan for Maguire back in January.
But it’s feasible they’ll try and offload their skipper this summer so funds can be used to land reinforcements on Ten Hag’s shortlist.
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As well as Kim, United are admirers of Vitor Osimhen.
Both the Napoli striker and Harry Kane are targets for the Red Devils as they seek upgrades on the likes of Anthony Martial and Wout Weghorst.
In midfield, United are being linked with Frenkie de Jong, Alexis Mac Allister and James Maddison.
They’re open to bringing in a new right-back, despite the solid performances of Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka this term.
And a new goalkeeper will be signed if the money is there, regardless of an imminent new deal for David De Gea.
Meanwhile, Kim’s entourage were recently quizzed on the prospect of the 26-year-old moving to United this summer.
And they insisted the speculation surrounding their client ‘was not true’ and made it clear nothing had been decided yet.
“The transfer to Manchester United is not true,” they were quoted as saying by Star News.
“Currently, Kim Min-jae is focusing on finishing the season.
“In the case of the English Premier League, the qualification to the Champions League or the final standings have not been decided.
“There is no need to move.”
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