13 May 2023 , 14:20
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Manchester United have already tabled a significant contract offer to Napoli defender Kim Min-jae, who 'dreams' of playing in the Premier League.
Kim, 26, has been linked with a summer switch to Old Trafford for months despite only moving to Naples last year. The highly-rated centre-back impressed for South Korea at the World Cup and has also played a pivotal role in Napoli's remarkable Serie A title-winning campaign.
Erik ten Hag is set to prioritise signing an elite No.9 in the transfer window, but the Dutchman is also keen to strengthen his squad elsewhere. And while Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane have formed an impressive partnership in defence, both have missed games through injury this term.
According to FootMercato, United have held discussions with the player's representatives after identifying Kim as their top defensive target. And the report goes on to claim that United have already made a 'colossal' contract proposal to the former Fenerbahce man.
Kim has previously tried to play down talk of another transfer less than 12 months after moving to Italy, but it is claimed that the defender 'dreams' of playing in the Premier League. As things stand, Manchester United would also be able to offer Kim Champions League football.
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Manchester United's move for Kim comes in the wake of Ten Hag insisting that players are now desperate to move to Old Trafford - 12 months after he struggled to convince players to join him at the club.
Join the debate! Do you think Kim would be a good signing for Man Utd? Let us know here.
Manchester United have held talks with the entourage of Napoli defender Kim Min-jae (SSC Napoli/Getty)“I see a big difference in comparison with last year,” Ten Hag said whilst speaking about transfers in his pre-match press conference on Friday. “There were a lot of reservations last year when I spoke with players.
“Now many players see the project, what's going on, the dynamic and the ambition in this project and the quality especially.
“They are really keen to come, I've noticed that. Where there were a lot of reservations last year, a lot of doubts when we approached players, this year, many quality players really want to come.”
While players are keen to join Ten Hag's ambitious rebuilding project at Manchester United, the Dutchman's hands are tied in the transfer market amid the ongoing takeover saga.
Ineos chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe has emerged as the frontrunner in the race to acquire the club from the Glazer family and is expected to be named as the preferred bidder imminently. However, Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani is refusing to admit defeat in his bid to purchase United and could launch a last-gasp bid to try and throw a spanner in the works.
Ten Hag admitted last week that he is still in the dark about how much money he'll have to spend in the transfer market ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.