Man Utd at risk of £42m transfer being ‘hijacked’ after Newcastle talks emerge

Newcastle are reportedly ready to ‘hijack’ Manchester United’s move for Napoli star Kim Min-Jae this summer. The South Korea international is on the radar for several elite teams all over Europe after helping Napoli win the Serie A title this past season.

Kim was named the league’s best defender and could be available for a cut-price figure this summer. A £42million release clause will reportedly be made active on July 1, making him a possible bargain transfer for interested clubs.

He’s reportedly favouring a move to the Premier League with Erik ten Hag keen on the defender. But The Sun claim Newcastle are ready to make a late push to sign the centre-back.

It’s reported that Kim’s representatives have already held talks with Newcastle officials. The meeting is said to have taken place at Newcastle’s home stadium towards the end of the previous campaign.

Fabian Schar and Sven Botman established a formidable partnership at the back for Newcastle last season to give Eddie Howe’s side the joint-best defensive record in the Premier League. But Howe was largely fortunate neither of them suffered any injury issues as Newcastle were lacking other options.

Jamal Lascelles is expected to be moved on this summer while Dan Burn ended up making the left-back spot his own. Signing a central defender is therefore a top priority for Howe with Newcastle returning to Champions League football next season.

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Newcastle’s reported interest will come as a huge blow for United in their summer plans. Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane may be Ten Hag’s first-choice centre-back pairing.

But both players were out injured towards the end of the season and United missed both of them. Harry Maguire is expected to be sold this summer with the England international falling down the pecking order under Ten Hag.

Tottenham are reportedly showing an interest in the United centre-back, although it’s not said to be linked with Harry Kane’s future at the club.

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