Real Madrid join Man Utd in race to sign Kim Min-Jae

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 10 Jan 2023 17:54 GMT
• 3 min read

Real Madrid have joined Manchester United in the race to sign Napoli defender Kim Min-Jae, according to Defensa Central.

Madrid are planning to improve their centre back options in the summer of 2023.

Nacho Hernandez is likely to leave when his contract expires at the end of the season, and Kim has emerged as one of the key candidates for the role.

The South Korea centre back signed for Napoli from Fenerbahce for €18 million this past summer as a replacement for Kalidou Koulibaly, who left after eight years to join Chelsea.

Kim has been a revelation for table-topping Napoli so far, with the Partenopei barely missing the Senegalese star at all.

Real Madrid are particularly interested in Kim because he has a minimum fee release clause in his contract.

The terms of Kim Min-Jae's contract

Who is Kim Min-Jae? The €50m Napoli ‘monster’ wanted by Man Utd

“The clause is only valid for foreign clubs and it’s accessible in a window in July, for just 15 days,” Napoli sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli recently said of the clause.

“Is the clause €50m? It’s variable, it depends on the revenues of the potential buyer. It’s all theoretical given that we are already thinking about changing these terms.”

Standing at 6ft 4in, Kim is a physically imposing and aggressive defender who is excellent in the air and brave in the tackle.

His performances have earned him rave reviews and he was named Serie A Player of the Month for September.

Napoli have been one of the most impressive teams in Europe this season. They are top of Serie A, eight points ahead of Milan.

They also qualified for the Champions League last-16, topping their group ahead of last year’s runners-up Liverpool.

Kim has been one of their standout players this season, and he also played an important role in South Korea making it to the last-16 of the World Cup where they lost to Brazil.

Madrid face competition from Man Utd, who have been following Kim for the last few months and may also make a move at the end of the season.