Manchester United target Kim Min-jae ‘set for last day’ at Napoli amid transfer speculation

Manchester United target Kim Min-jae will leave Napoli after their final game of the season on Sunday, according to a new report.

The South Korean centre-back has been linked with a move to Old Trafford for several months, having played a key role in Napoli winning their first Scudetto in 33 years.

Italian outlet Il Mattino claim that Kim has a €56 million release clause in his Napoli contract that becomes active on July 1, and will be available to trigger for a short period of 15 days.

It has been reported by the same outlet that United have informed the Italian giants that they will indeed trigger the clause, which would then give Kim the opportunity to negotiate a contract with Erik ten Hag’s side.

While his departure from the Serie A side does look likely to happen, the timing of the release clause being activated means it may be a waiting game until he can move on.

However, a new report claims that he will leave after Sunday’s Serie A clash against relegated Sampdoria.

Kim ‘set to leave Napoli’

Il Mattino (via Sport Witness) report that Kim is set for his ‘last day’ of work with the club on Sunday – meaning he may already have played his final game for Napoli.

The South Korean has played in 35 league matches so far this campaign, and played a pivotal role in Napoli’s run to the Champions League quarter-finals, where Luciano Spalletti’s side were knocked out by AC Milan.

The centre-back picked up his fifth yellow card of the season during last week’s 2-2 draw at Bologna, incurring a one-match suspension as a result.

Furthermore, Il Mattino claim that his ‘farewell is confirmed’, and that he will be moving on from Napoli.

If the move to United does get finalised, the signing of Kim will be a significant boost for Ten Hag as he looks to add another quality centre-back to his defence this summer.

At 26 years old, meanwhile, Kim still has his prime years ahead of him, and the competition between himself, Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez for a spot in the team will likely take the trio to fresh heights.