Reported Liverpool target Kim Min-Jae does indeed have a relatively low release clause in his Napoli contract.
That’s according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, who has confirmed reports that Kim could be signed for around £44m this summer. Speaking on his YouTube channel today, Romano gave details of the clause.
“It’s true that there is a release clause [for Kim], it’s a bit less than €50m [£44m] and it’ll be valid for a few days in July this summer,” he said. “So there is the possibility to trigger the clause and sign Kim Min-Jae. But the player also has to decide and Napoli are trying to offer him a new contract to keep the player.”
Romano went on to name Manchester United as a specific club interested in signing the centre-back. However, he does also note that ‘many clubs’ are keeping on top of the Kim’s situation.
“Manchester United are among many clubs are monitoring Kim Min-Jae, but Napoli have to make a decision, and they are pushing to extend his contract and change this clause situation,” he said. “At the moment the player has been very clear, he wants to stay focused on the second part of the season.”
Kim emerges as a real option for Liverpool
What a signing Kim has been for Napoli. Since arriving from Fenerbahce last summer, the South Korean has become one of Europe’s best defenders.
The leader at the back of a side destined for the Serie A title, there’s no wonder Liverpool are reportedly wanting to sign him. At £44m, he could be a real bargain for somebody.
As far as we’re concerned, that somebody should be Liverpool. The Reds are in need of a centre-back to take Joel Matip’s place as the third-choice defender.
There have been all sorts of rumours around who that could be, with Josko Gvardiol seemingly the number one choice. But Gvardiol is likely to cost somewhere close to £100m. It doesn’t seem possible that Liverpool will spend that money on a defender right now.
Other names have been put out there too, most of them markedly younger than 26-year-old Kim. But the South Korea international is hardly an old man, either. He’s coming into his prime and could readily slot in whenever needed at Liverpool.
To that end, there have been reports that Liverpool are one of the sides most interested in Kim. We’d love to see it happen. Convince him that Anfield is where he should be playing, and for £44m he’s all theirs.
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