Man Utd ‘have convinced Kim Min-jae to sign’ as transfer nears completion

Manchester United owners the Glazers could leave Erik ten Hag with a parting gift before relinquishing control of the club, amid reports from Italy that Kim Min-jae has been convinced to sign. The Napoli defender’s switch is supposedly just a matter of details, while his team-mate Victor Osimhen is also in the spotlight as Premier League heavyweights circle.

Ten Hag has been given an uncomfortable reminder in recent weeks that he needs greater depth at centre-back. Luke Shaw has acquitted himself well when shifting over from the left, but if the Red Devils are to challenge for top domestic and European prizes, new bodies will be required.

With Phil Jones and Axed Tuanzebe set to be released this summer, Ten Hag will have plenty of space in his squad to recruit a new defender. Harry Maguire’s uncertain future could make the issue even more pressing, and Napoli ace Kim is thought to be a player with admirers at Old Trafford.

According to Il Mattino, intermediaries involved in negotiations have successfully ‘convinced’ the defender to make the switch, with only the finer details left to finalise.

It remains to be seen whether the Glazers will be left to foot the bill as their drawn-out sale process continues. Takeover hopefuls Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani are keen to push their respective proposals through before the transfer window opens in June.

But with the current owners delaying their final decision on how best to proceed, the start of United’s summer transfer business could be overseen by the Glazers. Kim, 26, has started all bar two of Napoli’s Serie A games this season.

With Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez currently Ten Hag’s starting centre-back duo, Kim may have a job on his hands breaking into the starting XI if the finer details of his move to Old Trafford are completed.

The sooner United can box off negotiations for the 26-year-old, the sooner they can move onto convincing his Napoli team-mate, Osimhen, to ditch interest from some of European’s biggest sides and fulfil his dream of playing in the Premier League.