Manchester United’s intention to sign Kim Min-jae (26, Napoli) remains firm.
On the 10th (KST), Sky Sports reported that “Manchester United have made it clear to Kim Min-jae’s agent that they are interested in signing him”. This seems to be an affirmation, as there have been negative nuances about the player’s future at Manchester United for some time.
At the end of the season, it was Manchester United who were most strongly linked to Kim Min-jae. It was reported that he would sign with the Red Devils by the end of the season, and the details of the contract, including the length of the contract and salary, leaked out. Manchester United had even informed Napoli of their intention to pay the transfer fee in early July, when Kim’s buyout was triggered.
Suddenly, the possibility of Kim’s transfer to 안전놀이터 Manchester United has been cast into doubt. “It is unlikely that Manchester United will approach Kim at this point in time,” The Athletic recently wrote, adding that “contrary to many expectations, his move to Manchester United is not imminent”.
There was also competition. Newcastle United, the richest club in the English Premier League, has reportedly decided to pay Kim’s buyout. Newcastle United finished fourth in the Premier League this season and qualified for the UEFA Champions League. They are in need of reinforcements and have chosen Kim as one of their options at the back.
Despite the fact that United seemed to have taken a step back, Sky Sports emphasized that their intentions were clear. “Manchester United have made their intentions known to Kim Min-Jae’s agent,” the outlet reiterated. However, he is not a top priority for United. Their most pressing need is reportedly for a striker.
After returning to South Korea after the season, Kim will enroll in basic military training on May 15. He will serve for three weeks as an arts and physical education officer, as he received military service benefits for his gold medal at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games. As a result, Kim will not play in the June friendlies against Peru (June 16) and El Salvador (June 20).