Reported Liverpool transfer target Kim Min-Jae has rubbished talk that he’ll leave Napoli at the end of the season.
Kim has been sensational for a Napoli side who have blown Serie A away in 2022/23. His dominating performances have led to suggestions that he could be on the move during the summer transfer window.
But in quotes relayed by Football Italia, the 26-year-old has claimed that his only focus is on finishing the season successfully.
“I cannot be bothered by transfer rumours because they aren’t true,” Kim insisted. “Now I’m focusing on the team, rather than that kind of nonsense. There are so many important matches to go and right now I only want to focus on Napoli.”
Napoli are 19 points clear in Italy and well on course for a first Scudetto since 1990. Meanwhile they face AC Milan in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Liverpool interested in triggering Kim clause
As Liverpool look for the right candidate to help give their defence a lift, Kim has emerged as a genuine option.
Earlier this week journalist Ben Jacobs reported that the Reds are seriously looking at the South Korean. Potentially in need of a replacement for Joel Matip, they could do far worse than taking a punt on Kim.
Other reported targets – such as RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol – may be more attractive, but the Napoli defender could be a good deal cheaper.
As per Naples based outlet Il Mattino earlier this season, Kim has a £44m release clause in effect for 15 days this summer.
That’s a pretty small and pretty specific window for Liverpool to get this business done in. But to get a quality centre-back in his prime for that fee, it would be worth the potential hassle, or push-back from Napoli.
Of course, for the release clause to become effective, Kim would have to be on-board with an exit. By the sounds of things, Liverpool would have some work to do to convince him. Regardless, this is definitely one to keep an eye on.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
