The two clubs who want to sign Kim Min-Jae - Fabrizio Romano

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 29 May 2023 03:15 CDT
• 4 min read

Luciano Spalletti has commented on the future of Kim Min-Jae, while Fabrizio Romano has confirmed which two clubs want to sign the Napoli defender.

Kim was in action on Sunday as Napoli played their penultimate game of the Serie A season, drawing 2-2 at Bologna.

After the game, Spalletti was asked to comment on reports that Kim will leave Napoli at the end of the season.

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

What did Spalletti say about Kim?

“I hope Kim will stay at Napoli because he’s incredible,” Spalletti said.

“He’s the best centre back in Serie A. I guess he has push notifications on his phone when the ball is around!”

Spalletti has previously labelled Kim as the “best defender in the world” and the South Korean is a wanted man this summer.

Indeed, Romano has confirmed that both Manchester United and Newcastle United are interested in signing Kim in July when his release clause is valid.

“Manchester United and Newcastle are interested in Kim-Min Jae, clause will be valid in July,” Romano tweeted on Sunday.

What is Kim Min-Jae’s release clause?

Kim has a minimum fee release clause in his contract of around €50 million, valid for the first two weeks in July, which makes Napoli powerless to let him go.

Attempts by Napoli to give Kim a new contract and remove the clause have proved fruitless.

Min-Jae has been an absolute revelation since joining Napoli from Fenerbahce for €18m last summer, helping the club to their first Scudetto in 33 years.

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.

Man Utd are likely to be in the market for a centre back this summer as Harry Maguire is expected to leave the club in search of regular first-team football ahead of Euro 2024.

Newcastle, meanwhile, are looking for a new partner for Sven Botman at centre back.