[골닷컴] Reporter Kang Dong-hoon = It looks like the ‘monster’ Min-jae Kim (26, Napoli) will eventually enter the English Premier League (EPL). Following discussions with Manchester United (hereafter referred to as Man Utd) in earnest, it is reported that Napoli have refused to request that the transfer (buyout) allowance be removed.
Reporter Santi Auna, an expert on the European football transfer market, said on the 13th (Korea time), “Kim Min-jae is eager to move to Manchester United this summer.” He reported the news.
If Kim Min-jae accepts the transfer offer and enters Old Trafford during the upcoming summer transfer window, he will become the 15th Korean player ever to play on the EPL stage. This is also the second time to wear the Manchester United uniform after Park Ji-sung (42).
Kim Min-jae, who wore the Napoli outfit last summer, performed amazingly from the first season. He immediately jumped into the core and showed his monster-like defense in Italy’s Serie A as well as in the UEFA Champions League (UCL). This gave him the nickname ‘Iron Pillar’.
In fact, while playing 43 official games (42 starts), he had a solid physical defense, quick speed, and stable defense. Amid excellent performances, he won the Player of the Month award in September last year, and took the lead in helping Napoli rise to the top of Serie A after 33 years.
Naturally, Kim Min-jae received a ‘love call’ from a big club. In particular, he receives an active courtship from Man Utd, who are in dire need to reinforce the center back, and are receiving more intense attention due to the purchase clause, which is temporarily triggered for 15 days from July. This is because he, who is currently evaluated as the best defender in the top 5 European leagues, can be recruited by paying only 40 million pounds (about 67 billion won).
However, Kim Min-jae was in a mood to stay this summer despite numerous transfer rumors and outpouring of ‘love calls’. Here, the pressure was focused on Napoli’s remaining ‘all-in’ on contract renewal. However, with the summer transfer market approaching, he appears to be opting for a move to Manchester, deciding to take on a new challenge.
In particular, Napoli asked to remove the buyout clause, but Kim Min-jae refused and is expected to seriously promote the transfer. In addition, he seems to have decided to clear his mind while accepting a huge annual salary offer from Manchester United. Although the specific amount was not mentioned, it was reported that he was offered an unconventional contract similar to that of a star player.
