Chelsea could now cost Tottenham £17m target with decision imminent

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Chelsea could now cost Tottenham Hotspur a chance to sign Fenerbahce star Kim Min-Jae, who will communicate his preferred choice of club imminently amid interest from Napoli.

That’s according to TuttoMercatoWEB, who report the 25-year-old has delayed making the final call on his future. He was due to respond to offers from Serie A side Napoli and Ligue 1 outfit Stade Rennais this Friday, but is still deliberating which destination suits him best.

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Napoli have advanced their interest in Min-Jae, having marked the centre-half as their top target to replace Kalidou Koulibaly. Chelsea finalised a £34m deal for the Senegal enforcer this Saturday, and will pay the 31-year-old £160k-a-week net through a four-year contract.

Napoli stepping up interest in Min-Jae to fill void Koulibaly left

Koulibaly’s departure for Stamford Bridge leaves a huge hole in Luciano Spalletti’s backline at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Thomas Tuchel’s new defensive general had led the Azzurri unit for the last eight years, enjoying 317 appearances across all competitions.

Napoli now hope Min-Jae could fill the void Koulibaly leaves behind as they battle Rennes for his transfer from Fenerbahce. But any move away from the Super Lig side is in the 40-cap South Korea international’s control as he studies the proposals each club has offered.

Chelsea deal for Koulibaly could now cost Tottenham amid Min-Jae interest

Rennes have sought to convince Min-Jae of a move to Roazhon Park of late with technical director Florian Maurice travelling to meet the defender in Turkey. He also has interest in England, with Martin Lipton citing Min-Jae among the defender’s on Tottenham’s shortlist.

Yet Antonio Conte is not prioritising a move for the 6 ft 2 enforcer Fabrizio Romano notes Fenerbahce would only sell for his €20m (£17m) release clause. But with Napoli advancing their interest after selling Koulibaly to Chelsea, Tottenham could now miss out on Min-Jae.

The centre-back made 39 appearances across all competitions last season for Fenerbahce, including six Europa League games, after joining the Istanbul side from BJ Guoan in August.