Newcastle United are now fighting Tottenham Hotspur in the race to sign Fenerbahce defender Kim Min-jae at the end of the season.
That’s according to CNN Turk over in Turkey, who claim that Porto, Chelsea, Arsenal and Juventus have all been scouting Kim.
Yet it’s added that both Newcastle and Tottenham have wanted Kim for a long time, with talks already held over a potential summer deal.
Kim, 25, knows Son Heung-min well from international duty with South Korea and they could join forces at Tottenham.
Son is even understood to have recommended Kim to Tottenham last summer during contract talks with Spurs.
The defender’s name will be familiar to Tottenham fans from transfer windows past.
Tottenham were keen on signing Kim from Beijing Guoan in 2020, battling Liverpool amid comparison to Virgil van Dijk.
Kim ended up joining Fenerbahce instead, immediately becoming a key player for the Turkish giants.
Billed as having ‘huge potential’, Kim could offer another strong defensive option for Antonio Conte moving forward.
Newcastle are now a major threat though, as they will have huge money to spend thanks to PIF’s takeover.
Whilst Fabian Schar may stay put, Newcastle will be looking for a quick right-footed centre back to partner Dan Burn at the back.
Kim absolutely fits that particular bill for Newcastle, whilst still having a big frame at around 6ft 3in tall.
It currently looks like Newcastle and Tottenham are the most likely destinations for Kim, but you can’t rule out Arsenal.
The Gunners have a settled centre back pairing in Ben White and Gabriel Magalhaes, but Kim would be a great signing for competition.
Arsenal dipped into the Asian market by signing Japanese star Takehiro Tomiyasu and may now go for a South Korean ace in Kim.
Having been linked with a Premier League move for two years, this summer could finally be the time for Kim to head to England.
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