Manchester United want World Cup star – 18 months after snubbing £3million transfer

Manchester United have renewed their interest in South Korean central defender Kim Min-jae 18 months after being offered him for £3million.

Min-jae one of the outstanding performers for his country at the World Cup in Qatar attracted interest from both United and Spurs when Chinese side Beijing Sinobo Guoan decided to cash in on him. The asking price was £3million, but while the Premier League rivals hesitated Fenerbahce nipped in and took him to Turkey. Twelve months later they sold him to Napoli for £16million – a more than 400 percent profit.

Questions are now being asked within Old Trafford why the club didn’t follow up their interest in the 26-year-old who has proved more than a suitable replacement for Kalidou Koulibaly who left for Chelsea.

Nicknamed ‘The Monster’ due to his 6ft 3in physique he has helped propel Napoli to the top of Serie A.

But a £38million release clause in his contract has left the Italians vulnerable to bids from a growing number of suitors, which also now includes Real Madrid.

Napoli will hope to fend off interest in January and are already preparing an improved contract, with boss Luciano Spalletti desperate to keep hold of his first choice centre-back.

But United, whose last major South Korean signing Park Ji-sung became a Stretford End favourite, won’t be walking away like they did in the summer of 2021. They are also aware that Min-jae would be interested in eventually moving to the Premier League.

Erik ten Hag has led United to fifth in the Premier League table, with the Red Devils having greatly improved since losing their opening two games of the season.

And while he has seemingly settled on a first-choice centre-back pairing of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane, questions over the Frenchman’s injury issues have seen the Dutchman looking for alternatives – furthering questions over the long-term future of both club captain Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof.