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Premier League side Man Utd are set to ‘force’ a move for Napoli centre-back Kim Min-jae as soon as possible, according to reports.
The Red Devils have had a good season with a League Cup trophy in their pocket and a top four finish in the Premier League still in their hands despite their recent poor form, while they are also in the FA Cup final.
Premier League defeats to Brighton and West Ham in their last two games show they still need to improve a lot if they are to challenge for the Premier League title next season.
Erik ten Hag’s two priority positions for the summer transfer market are center forward and central midfield as he looks to build on a solid first season in charge at Old Trafford.
However, there is hope that Man Utd will also improve in defense with a new centre-back, right-back and goalkeeper expected to be next on their list.
One centre-back they are particularly interested in is Napoli’s Kim with the South Korea international helping the Serie A giants win their first Scudetto in 33 years this season.
Kim has been a big part of why Napoli have conceded just 23 goals in 34 Serie A games so far this season and the 26-year-old is attracting admiring glances from other big clubs.
He only signed for Napoli last summer from Turkish side Fenerbahce for around €18m but could be on the move again with his contract containing a release clause of between €50m and €60m.
And Italian site Tuttomercatoweb state that Man Utd are «pressing» for Kim’s signing with the Red Devils looking to «define the contours of the deal within the next thirty days».
They add that Man Utd are «ready to force» a move on the player by activating his release clause with Ten Hag keen to strike a deal «immediately».
Another player the Red Devils have been linked with is Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa and current Man Utd defender Diogo Dalot was asked yesterday about their interest in his compatriot.
Dalot said: “I grew up with him, he’s my friend, there’s a great relationship between us and I know perfectly well that he has the ability to one day be a global benchmark. I don’t know if he will be at Manchester United or another big European club.
“He shows FC Porto that he is a differential goalkeeper and he has helped the club a lot. If he continues there, I will be extremely happy. If he goes, I hope he has the biggest hit in the world.»
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