90min

Bayern Munich closing in on Kim Min-jae signing ahead of Man Utd

Bayern Munich have moved quickly to try and land Kim; Man Utd have been tracking Kim for months but have failed to make progress in negotiations; Kim's €50m release clause becomes active in July.

By Tom Gott, Graeme Bailey

Bayern Munich are pushing to sign Kim
Bayern Munich are pushing to sign Kim / Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images
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Bayern Munich are close to completing the signing of South Korean centre-back Kim Min-jae from Napoli, 90min understands.

Kim, one of the stand-out defenders in Europe last season, has a €50m release clause in his contract which becomes active in July and has rejected the offer of a new deal in Naples which would remove that clause.

Manchester United have long been trying to win the race for Kim's signature but progress in negotiations with the 26-year-old's entourage has been slow, allowing Bayern to join the race.

Bayern quickly voiced a willingness to trigger Kim's release clause and set about negotiating a contract with the South Korean, and sources have confirmed to 90min that the German side are close to getting a deal done.

Indeed, Napoli believe Kim is set to join Bayern and are now waiting for his release clause to be triggered early next month.

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United remain in talks with Kim's entourage but have not made any real progress over the past week, with the belief now that the centre-back is heading to Germany.

Bayern have targeted Kim as they brace for interest in French international Lucas Hernandez, who has agreed personal terms with Paris Saint-Germain. President Herbert Hainer recently confirmed Bayern's desire to keep Lucas but, given he is approaching the final year of his contract, refused to rule out a sale.

With Kim now expected to head to Germany, Man Utd will have to look elsewhere and have a number of alternative targets under consideration, including Leeds' Robin Koch and Monaco's Axel Disasi.

United are open to parting ways with Harry Maguire but the England international remains determined to stay and fight for his place at Old Trafford.

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On this week's edition of Talking Transfers, part of the 90min podcast network, Toby Cudworth is joined by Graeme Bailey and Sean Walsh to discuss the latest transfer news. On the agenda is Arsenal's approach for Jurrien Timber, Kai Havertz and Declan Rice, the exodus of Chelsea players to Saudi Arabia, Moises Caicedo, Kyle Walker, Man Utd's goalkeeper plans & more!

If you can't see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!

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