Transfer Centre

Kim Min-jae 'disturbed' by Manchester United rumours

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 16 December 2022

Napoli defender Kim Min-jae, who continues to be linked with Manchester United, plays down the recent speculation surrounding his future.

Napoli defender Kim Min-jae has played down the recent speculation surrounding his future.

The 26-year-old made the move to Napoli from Fenerbahce back in July, and he has been in strong form for the Italian outfit this term, making 20 appearances in all competitions.

Kim has scored twice in 14 appearances in Serie A this term, while he played every minute of his side's Champions League group-stage campaign, which saw them qualify for the next round as section winners.

The defender was also in action for South Korea at the 2022 World Cup, playing three times at the tournament, with his team reaching the last-16 stage before losing to Brazil.

There has been a host of speculation surrounding the South Korean in recent weeks, with Manchester United said to be weighing up a move in 2023.

Napoli's Kim Min-jae in action with AC Milan's Junior Messias in September 2022 © Reuters

However, Kim has said that transfer rumours "disturb" him, with the centre-back not paying any attention to the links with other clubs.

"There are a lot of transfer stories around me, but I've only been at Napoli for six months. I've avoided interviews, and one of the reasons is that the rumours about me disturb me," he told You Quiz on the Block.

Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid are also said to be admirers of Kim, who is believed to have a release clause of €45m (£38m) inserted into his current deal.

Kim started his professional career at Gyeongju KHNP before making the move to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, representing the latter on 60 occasions before arriving at Beijing Guoan in 2019.

The defender then joined Fenerbahce in August 2021, representing the Turkish outfit on 40 occasions before making the move to Napoli.

Erik ten Hag leads Manchester United training on September 7, 2022 © Reuters

Central defence is not thought to be an area of immediate priority for Man United when it comes to improving their squad, with the club instead looking to sign a new centre-forward in January.

However, Harry Maguire could allegedly be allowed to leave the club next year, while Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe are both likely to depart on free transfers.

As a result, Red Devils head coach Erik ten Hag could be looking for a player to join Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof when it comes to competing for spots at the back.

Varane and Martinez will both be involved in Sunday's World Cup final between France and Argentina, but Lindelof has not featured in the tournament due to Sweden's failure to qualify.

Maguire was in action for England, but the club captain is set to return to training next week, with the Three Lions being eliminated in the quarter-finals.