Man Utd’s ‘slow transfer negotiations’ for Kim Min-jae pounced on by Newcastle

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Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag may be left frustrated this summer as slow transfer negotiations have left the door ajar for Newcastle to swoop in. Napoli defender Kim Min-jae has no shortage of potential suitors, and the Red Devils’ drawn-out attempts to sign him could ultimately come back to bite them.

The South Korean is widely reported to be Ten Hag’s top defensive target as he looks to revamp the squad for his second season at the helm. Kim was a regular fixture in Napoli’s starting XI as they romped to the Serie A title last term.

The 26-year-old has made quite the impression since making his first foray into European football in 2021 with Fenerbahce. One season in Turkey and another in Italy is seemingly all United needed before laying out a lucrative contract offer last month.

According to Footmercato, however, the negotiations have been on stand-by ever since that offer was submitted, giving rival suitors an opportunity to wade into proceedings.

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Newcastle are among them, and Kim’s desire to play in the Premier League could see him opt for St James’ Park if United talks continue to stall. Just like Ten Hag’s side, the Magpies can offer Champions League football after clinching a top-four spot in impressive fashion.

Reports indicate that Newcastle have ‘accelerated strongly’ in their efforts to snap Kim up, but others are keeping tabs on the situation too. Chelsea are also believed to be admirers of the centre-back, although they are already well-stocked in defence.

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Paris Saint-Germain are rumoured to be in the equation, but Kim’s desire to play in England could pose an insurmountable hurdle in transfer talks. The 6ft 3in star spent the first few years of his career in Asia before switching to Europe two years ago.

With 49 international caps on his CV and a growing reputation among the continent’s top teams, Ten Hag will surely be keen to beat the rush and tie Kim down early in the transfer window. It remains to be seen whether ownership uncertainty will continue to frustrate the United boss in the coming weeks.

Ten Hag will naturally be keen to avoid the kind of long-running saga that unfolded last summer when Frenkie de Jong decided to snub the Red Devils’ advances and stay at Barcelona.

United’s pre-season campaign will get underway against Lyon on July 19, and although Ten Hag wants new faces to be bedding in at Old Trafford by then, a delayed decision on whether Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani or Sir Jim Ratcliffe will take over from the Glazers in the boardroom could see their rivals make speedier progress.

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