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Soccer Transfer News

Report: Newcastle think Manchester United lead race for star centre back

Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images
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Newcastle United want Kim Min-jae but believe Manchester United are now well-placed to sign the Napoli defender.

Manchester United are chasing Kim Min-jae and may well beat Newcastle United to his signature this summer.

That is according to the Daily Mail, who claim that Newcastle are interested in signing Kim during the summer window.

However, it’s stated that Newcastle think Manchester United are leading the race for the South Korean.

The Magpies may now look elsewhere, seemingly believing that Kim moving to Old Trafford is already in progress.

Newcastle have an exciting project right now and will have Champions League football on offer next season.

Beating Manchester United to signings will still be hit and miss though, at least until the Magpies become more established as a European force.

Kim only joined Napoli from Fenerbahce last summer but made a huge impact in a Serie A title-winning season.

Former Manchester United ace Park Ji-Sung has told TMW that he thinks Kim is ‘extraordinary’ and the defender could now follow in his footsteps with a move to Old Trafford.

Kim Min-jae
Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images

Newcastle United look set to target a right-footed defender amid Kim Min-jae rumours

Missing out on Kim would hurt Newcastle; imagine a centre back pairing of Kim and Sven Botman.

That would be a nightmare for strikers for years to come, but it looks like it won’t happen.

Kim to Manchester United wouldn’t end Newcastle’s chase for a new centre back though.

Jamaal Lascelles looks likely to move on this summer and competition will be needed for Fabian Schar.

Kim would have been a blockbuster signing given his outstanding performances in Italy and ultimately a player who could make an instant Champions League impact.

Newcastle will look elsewhere and we’re expecting a new centre back signing to be a right-footer to replace Lascelles rather than another left-footer given Botman and Dan Burn are already at the club.