Man Utd offer massive contract to sign ‘best defender in the world’

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 28 Mar 2023 11:00 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United have offered to double the wages of summer transfer target Kim Min-Jae, according to Calcio Napoli.

Napoli star Kim is reported to be Man Utd’s top target for the centre of defence this summer, with Erik ten Hag hoping to replace Harry Maguire with the 26-year-old.

He earns around €2 million per season at Napoli, and Calcio Napoli reports that United are prepared to more than double that wage with a €5m per season offer.

Who is Kim Min-Jae? The €50m Napoli ‘monster’ wanted by Man Utd

Liverpool are also said to be willing to make a similar offer for the South Korean defender.

Min-Jae has been an absolute revelation since joining Napoli from Fenerbahce for €18 million last summer.

He was signed as a replacement for Kalidou Koulibaly, who left after eight years to join Chelsea, but Kim has been magnificent at the heart of Napoli’s defence.

This has led to interest from Europe’s biggest clubs, with multiple sources reporting that Man Utd wish to sign Kim at the end of the season.

According to Napoli manager Luciano Spalletti, Kim is now the best in the world in his role.

What did Spalletti say about Kim Min-Jae

“Kim does at least 20 incredible things per game, for me he truly is the best centre-back in the world,” Spalletti said after Napoli’s 2-0 win over Atalanta.

“When he starts the run with the ball at his feet, he can get it into the opposition penalty area in five seconds flat.”

Man Utd are aware that Kim has a minimum fee release clause in his contract.

The terms of Kim Min-Jae's contract

“The clause is only valid for foreign clubs and it’s accessible in a window in July, for just 15 days,” Napoli sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli said before Christmas of the clause.

“Is the clause €50m? It’s variable, it depends on the revenues of the potential buyer. It’s all theoretical given that we are already thinking about changing these terms.”

Kim has played an important role in Napoli running away with the Serie A title race as they are currently 19 points clear with 11 games remaining.

Napoli are also in the quarter-finals of the Champions League where they will play with AC Milan.