Report: Spurs could sign Kim days after joining Napoli as £40m detail emerges

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Tottenham could now have a chance to one day sign Napoli defender Kim Min-jae with the centre-back having a release clause that can only be activated by non-Italian clubs.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, the South Korean international, who was only announced and unveiled as a new Napoli player this Wednesday, has a €45m (£40m) release clause in his contract that can only be met by foreign teams, with Tottenham missing out on the signing of Kim this summer.

Spurs and Premier League rivals Everton were both interested in signing the 25-year-old defender, however, it was Napoli who won the race for the titanic centre-back as the Serie A side looked to replace Kalidou Koulibaly quickly following the Senegal international’s move to Chelsea.

Whilst the chances of Tottenham making a move for Kim are essentially zero, the inclusion of such a clause could be of some use later down the line, especially if the new Napoli defender impresses for his new club in the upcoming season, with the Partenopei set for a big year under Luciano Spalletti both domestically and in the UEFA Champions League.

Indeed, Napoli will be looking to make their mark in Europe after a disappointing year last campaign, and with club legends Koulibaly, Dries Mertens and Lorenzo Insigine now gone, the Italian side are really entering a new era, with fresh-faced signing Kim a player who could be a new pole bearer for the Serie A giants.

As for Tottenham, Kim establishing himself in Italy could persuade the club to activate the defender’s £40m release clause in the coming transfer windows, with manager Antonio Conte seemingly a huge admirer of the South Korean superstar.

Tottenham should already be looking at signing Kim from Napoli

Tottenham have solid centre-back options heading into the new season, but with this bombshell detail that Kim has a release clause tailored towards non-Italian clubs, Spurs could take advantage of this in the next 12 months and snipe the defender right from Napoli’s noses.

After all, Kim is a quality player who will only increase his value during his time with Napoli, and the Asian titan would be a welcome addition to the Premier League if he continues to develop his game this season in Italy, something that could force Tottenham to make a move.