Italy’s Napoli have not given up on keeping monster Kim Min-jae (27). They have reportedly offered him a new contract.
According to a report by the English Daily Express on Monday (July 9), Napoli have offered Kim a new contract. Kim’s contract runs until 2025, but the club has been under fire for losing him this summer. Kim has been one of Europe’s top performers and has attracted interest from a number of big clubs. However, Napoli are determined to hold on to him at all costs, as he is an integral part of their squad. He has made 35 league appearances this season, putting in solid defensive performances in every game. He was named the best defender of the 2022-2023 season by the Serie A secretariat, and many soccer publications, including Globe Soccer and Score90, ranked him among the world’s best 11. These are the 11 players who had the best performances this season. In the case of Score90, Kim was the only Serie A player to make the list. Thanks to him, Napoli won the league title for the first time in 33 years, since the 1989-1990 season with club legend Diego Maradona.
Why Napoli offered a new contract. The main goal is to keep Kim, but at the very least, they want to modify or delete his buyout. Starting in July, Kim’s buyout clause will be triggered, which allows him to leave the club for about three months without the club’s consent. It’s a unique clause that only applies to foreign clubs, excluding Serie A teams, and there’s no set amount. It could be anywhere from £30 million to £52 million, depending on the performance and financial situation of the club that wants to sign him. As long as the buyout threshold is met, the transfer can be negotiated without the club’s consent. Napoli wouldn’t be able to stop it. Considering his performances, Kim Min-jae is a bargain. Napoli realize they have a crisis and want to fix it.
Napoli are known for keeping their key players. They have a history of fending off bids from big clubs and sitting key players. World-class players like Marek Hamsik (Trabzonspor) and Kalidou Koulibaly (Chelsea) have stayed at Napoli for years despite constant transfer rumors. Hamsik has been with the club for 13 years and Koulibaly for nine. The loyalty of the players should be the foundation of the deal, but Napoli also rejected the offer. The same situation could repeat itself if Kim’s buyout amount is modified or eliminated.
Man Utd and Newcastle are two of the teams that have been linked with the player. Both have been strongly linked to the player. Both Man United and Newcastle are looking to strengthen their defenses. The Red Devils are currently preparing to revamp their defense. Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof are reportedly on the move due to lack of playing time. After 13 years at the club, Phil Jones has already said goodbye. Other center backs such as Eric Bailly and Axel Thiagoet are also being linked with moves away. Instead of reducing the number of center backs, the plan is to add quality by signing Kim Min-Jae. Newcastle’s main center back, Fabian Schar, is already 32 years old. They don”t have many center-back options, so they”re keen to sign Kim Min-jae. However, Napoli’s offer of a new contract has introduced an unexpected twist. According to the Daily Express, “If Kim accepts the offer, Napoli will be able to raise the price to whatever they want. This could leave United in an awkward position.”
Even so, we don’t know if Kim will accept the offer. Napoli aren’t all-in on re-signing Kim either. There are already rumors of possible replacements. One such player is Atalanta defender Giorgio Scalvini. The Italian defender is only 20 years old. He has been a regular member of the team this season, appearing in 32 league games. He is taller than Kim Min-jae, standing at 194 centimeters, and is characterized by his gritty defense. He also has the ability to dribble and pass. Scalvini was a finalist for Defender of the Year alongside Kim Min-jae. Thanks to him, Atalanta finished fifth in the league and qualified for Europa. Last month, Italy’s Tuttomercatoweb reported that “Napoli are keeping an eye on Scalvini and have already initiated contact with his side. The talks are still in the preliminary stages, but a deal could materialize in the coming weeks.”스포츠토토
Also on Napoli’s list is Greek center back Konstantinos Mavropanos, who plays for Stuttgart in Germany. The young 26-year-old has anchored the defense in 28 league appearances this season. Stuttgart also achieved their primary goal by narrowly staying in the Bundesliga after a relegation playoff. Chelsea defender Koulibaly’s name is also on the list. He moved to Chelsea from Napoli last year but struggled to adapt to the new league and fell out of contention for a starting spot. According to UK outlet CourtsOffside, Koulibaly could move to Chelsea on loan as a replacement if Napoli let Kim Min-jae leave. Despite his struggles at Chelsea, he is a legend at Napoli.