Man Utd consider triggering £42m release clause for transfer Mourinho had vetoed

23 February 2023 , 18:22

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Jose Mourinho has spoken of his attempts to sign Kim Min-jae (Image: AP)

Napoli defender Kim Min-jae has emerged as a Manchester United target once more, a few short years after Jose Mourinho turned down the chance to sign the centre-back.

Kim, 26, joined Napoli from Fenerbahce in the summer as the Partenopei sought a replacement for Kalidou Koulibaly when the Senegal star joined Chelsea. The South Korea international has made an instant impact, so much so that the club are said to be pushing for a contract renewal amid reports of winter interest from United.

The former Beijing Guoan man has been a fixture in Luciano Spalletti's defence as Napoli have opened up a huge lead in the Serie A title race, while also helping them put one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals. However, reports from the continent suggest Man Utd have been alerted to a £42m release clause in his contract.

According to Calciomercato (via Get Italian Football News), United have 'made contact' over the defender. While Kim's current release clause sits at less than £50m, Napoli are eager to increase it to €70m (£62m) with a new deal.

Kim is said to be after a substantial wage increase if he is to agree to new terms with the club. The centre-back has played every minute for Napoli in the Champions League as they won their group and claimed a first-leg advantage over Eintracht Frankfurt in the last 16, and has missed just one league game.

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It marks a significant change from when he moved to Europe. Fenerbahce secured a cut-price deal back in 2021, but Mourinho's Spurs were also keen, according to their then-manager.

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Kim Min-jae has impressed during his first season at Napoli (AFP via Getty Images)

"I can tell you a story about one of their players. I spoke to him on FaceTime and wanted to buy him at Tottenham, but Tottenham didn’t help me," Mourinho said in January. The Portuguese coach was speaking ahead of the Serie A clash between Roma and Napoli, the only time his team has lost in the league in 2023.

"The player cost ten million, Tottenham offered five. A deal could be done for seven or eight, but at that time Tottenham couldn’t spend money.

"I spoke to the lad two or three times via FaceTime, he really wanted to come, but he couldn’t come. And now he’s that ‘rubbish’ defender who plays there, Kim."

While it is unclear when Mourinho's conversations took place, his final window in charge - in January 2021 - saw Spurs make no new additions to their squad. Mourinho was sacked in April of that year and his permanent successor Nuno Espirito Santo moved on to other targets, bringing in Argentina defender Cristian Romero on an initial loan before the move was made permanent in 2022.

Tom Victor