Romano sends Man Utd worrying ‘absolutely open’ update on transfer priority

Robin Bairner

• 14 Jun 2023 06:48 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United have not completed a deal to sign Min-jae Kim from Napoli, according to Fabrizio Romano, who has shot down reports that suggest the South Korea international will be heading to Old Trafford next season.

The centre-back has a release clause that is active in the early weeks of July and had been expected to join Man Utd, with manager Erik ten Hag having made him a transfer priority in order to strengthen the heart of the defence.

The Red Devils appear well placed to secure the signing of the 26-year-old and reports from Italy have even suggested the deal is little more than a formality.

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Romano, though, has issued an update that indicates that Man Utd still have a good deal of work to do to sign Kim, explaining that the race is “absolutely open”.

“At the moment, nothing is done,” the transfer specialist explained on a video he dropped on his YouTube channel.

Romano did confirm that Man Utd have set Kim as one of their transfer priorities this summer and that talks with the players have been held in order to drive a deal.

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However, he warned that there is still active interest coming from not only Newcastle, but multiple unnamed clubs.

“The race is absolutely open, trust me,” Romano told his viewers.

Kim eyed as Maguire replacement

Kim has built a reputation over the course of the last year as one of the strongest centre-backs in world football, with former Napoli head coach Luciano Spalletti even going so far as describing him as the best in the world in his position.

Man Utd want the player to play alongside Raphael Varane in the heart of their defence, with Ten Hag feeling that the likes of Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire are not up to the task. Maguire is likely to be sold this summer, with Kim expected to arrive from Napoli as a direct replacement.