As the future of Manchester United’s two current defenders hangs in the air, there is a possibility that the Red Devils may plunge into the summer transfer market in search of a new central defender.
Manager Eric ten Hag preferred the defensive partnership of World Cup winners Rafael Varane and Lisandro Martinez, and this duo performed much better than their previous players in this position.
Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire have not started as many games as they would like, and there is a very real possibility that one or both will leave in the summer in search of regular playing time.
United needs a new Central Bank
The 20-time English League champions have been linked with a host of defenders, including Ajax’s Jurrien Timber, Portuguese pair Gonzalo Inacio and Antonio Silva and Premier League star Mohamed Salisa.
But the favorite seems to be the shining light of Napoli Kim Min Jae. His arrival in Naples coincided with the club’s best form in recent years as they look to be favourites in both Serie A and the Champions League.
The 26-year-old has helped his club keep 14 clean sheets in 27 Serie A games, as well as scoring two goals and making one assist in the league.
Many people didn’t think about it when the club decided to part ways with its long-time star defender Kalidou Coulibaly, who moved to Chelsea.
According to Il Mattino, Aurelio De Laurentiis already knows that the price of their star players far exceeds the capabilities of their rivals in Italy.
Napoli is ready to sell Kim
The club is ready to sell its stellar assets, but only at the right price. And, despite reports to the contrary, Kim’s release clause does not amount to 50 million euros.
“During his engagement, he requested — and received — a variable exemption clause in the amount of 55 to 70 million euros, depending on the buyer. If necessary, they will conduct exercises in June,” the message says.
And De Laurentiis is open to selling the South Korean player because he learned a lesson the hard way by turning down an offer of more than 100 million euros from the Manchester club for Coulibaly.
The Nigerian defender moved to Chelsea at the beginning of this season for just 38 million euros.
The Reds should have no problem paying such a sum for a defender of Kim’s caliber. He will be a definite improvement for both the Swede and the Englishman, and may eventually take the position of a Monitor Lizard in the long run.
