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Manchester United 'set to lose out to Bayern Munich for Kim Min-jae'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 28 June 2023

Man United 'set to lose out to Bayern for Kim Min-jae'

Bayern Munich are confident of securing the signature of Napoli defender Kim Min-jae ahead of Manchester United, according to a report.

Bayern Munich are reportedly confident of securing the signature of Napoli defender Kim Min-jae.

The 26-year-old's future has been the subject of much speculation in recent weeks, with Manchester United thought to have been the favourites to sign him this summer.

However, talk of a move to Old Trafford has quietened in recent weeks, with Bayern appearing to move into pole position for the South Korea international.

According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Munich giants are 'optimistic' that they will be able to win the race for the central defender.

Romano claims that an agreement on personal terms is 'almost done', with the Bundesliga champions prepared to offer a contract until June 2028.

Napoli's Kim Min-jae pictured on November 12, 2022 © Reuters

Napoli have Kim on a contract until June 2025, with the option of an additional two years, with the defender only arriving from Galatasaray last summer.

However, there is a release clause in the centre-back's contract, with the buy-out fee set to become live at the start of July.

There have been conflicting reports when it comes to the amount of the release clause, but it is understood that the figure is somewhere between €50m (£43m) and €70m (£60m).

Manchester City have also been credited with an interest in the defender, but the Citizens are seemingly currently looking to bring in Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig.

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

Kim was in excellent form for Napoli during the 2022-23 campaign, playing 45 times in all competitions, scoring twice and registering twice in the process.

The defender featured on nine occasions in the Champions League, as the Blues made the quarter-finals, while he played 35 times during the team's Serie A title-winning campaign.

Bayern are planning to be active during the summer market, with the club also targeting Harry Kane; an offer of little over £60m has allegedly been turned down by Tottenham Hotspur, but they are reportedly planning to raise their bid to £80m.

Thomas Tuchel's side have also been linked with Mason Mount, although it is believed that the Chelsea attacker is not a target for the club at this stage.

Should Man United miss out on Kim, the Red Devils could seemingly accelerate their interest in Monaco's Axel Disasi, with the Frenchman also being heavily linked with a switch to Old Trafford.