Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on the race for Napoli’s Kim Min-jae.
News circulated this evening that Bayern Munich had joined Manchester United and Newcastle United in the race for the South Korean, who looks set to depart Naples after just one year.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano suggested that the Bundesliga giants are now the most likely club to land Min-jae’s signature.
He told viewers: “Bayern want Kim, this is a concrete possibility. They [have] held some discussions on the player’s side and so United [are] still there, Newcastle [are] still there, but also Bayern into the race.
“Bayern look like favourites now for Kim.”
This will come as a huge blow to Erik ten Hag, as United have held strong interest in the centre-back for several weeks.
Min-jae’s current contract includes a release clause of around £45 million that can only be activated from July 1, hence why clubs are looking to do the groundwork for any potential deal now.
At such an affordable price, the stalwart defender would’ve been an exceptional addition to United’s backline, especially when partnered with either Lisandro Martinez or Raphael Varane.
Game time a key factor in Min-jae’s decision
However, it’s perhaps that factor that has swung the race in Bayern’s favour. The Martinez/Varane pairing will be Ten Hag’s preference heading into the 2023/2024 campaign due to the formidable partnership they formed last term, so Min-jae may not feature as much as he would be hoping for.
On the other hand, Thomas Tuchel may be offering a guaranteed spot in the starting line-up week in, week out in Munich and if so, the 26-year-old would struggle to turn down such a lucrative proposal.
