---
title: "Manchester United: Red Devils want to trigger Kim Min-jae release clause"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-united-kim-min-jae-release-clause-transfer-news/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Manchester United News"
published: "2023-02-24T09:15:42Z"
modified: "2023-02-24T09:15:42Z"
---

# Manchester United: Red Devils want to trigger Kim Min-jae release clause

**[Manchester United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-united-news/) reportedly want to sign Napoli defender Kim Min-jae this summer by triggering his €48m (£42m) release clause.**

### The Lowdown: Kim profiled

Kim is 26 years of age and has gone from strength to strength over the last 18 months, with his [Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/min-jae-kim/marktwertverlauf/spieler/503482) valuation rising from €6.5m to £35m.

Sponsored by [Nike](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/min-jae-kim/profil/spieler/503482), the centre-back has made [30](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/min-jae-kim/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/503482) appearances for Napoli after joining from Fenerbahce in the summer. The South Korea international has been called ‘[amazing](https://twitter.com/Jasons_JaysHub/status/1503047715764199433)‘ by members of the media and is nicknamed ‘[the Monster](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jun/18/everton-among-clubs-chasing-monster-south-korea-defender-kim-min-jae)‘ due to his [6 foot 3](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/min-jae-kim/profil/spieler/503482) frame.

### The Latest: United interest

[Sports Witness](https://sportwitness.co.uk/manchester-united-like-trigger-players-e48m-clause-club-already-working-stopping/) relayed an update from [Corriere dello Sport](https://www.corrieredellosport.it/) regarding United and Kim in the last 48 hours.

They claimed that the Red Devils would like to trigger his 48m (£42m) release clause. However, that clause will only be valid for 15 days in the summer, with Napoli already looking to alter the player’s contract in an extended deal.

[Latest Man Utd news!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-man-utd-news-11/)

### The Verdict: Shrewd target

[Erik ten Hag](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tag/erik-ten-hag/) could well be on the lookout for further centre-back reinforcements in the summer after signing Lisandro Martinez in his first transfer window in charge at Old Trafford. Harry Maguire has been [linked](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1728217/Man-Utd-transfer-news-Harry-Maguire-Inter-Milan-loan-bid-Premier-League) with an exit earlier this year, whereas [Victor Lindelof](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/manchester-united/kader/verein/985) will be entering the final 12 months of his contract.

Therefore, bringing in someone like Kim could be a wise move to rival the likes of Martinez and Raphael Varane. The Napoli man has averaged a WhoScored match rating of [7.11/10](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/276/Show/Italy-Napoli) this season, a greater score than all of [United’s defenders](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/32/Show/England-Manchester-United).

He is averaging close to [80](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/276/Show/Italy-Napoli) passes per game with an impressive [90%](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/276/Show/Italy-Napoli) pass competition, while also making more clearances than any Napoli player.

Therefore, for £42m, a move could be a smart piece of business by Old Trafford chiefs, and potentially one to keep an eye on over the coming months.