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Manchester United are reportedly in pole position to lure Liverpool target Kim Min-jae away from Napoli in the upcoming summer transfer window. They have offered around £8 million-per-year salary to the star centre-back.
Kim, 26, has emerged as one of the best defenders in Italy since joining Gli Azzurri from Fenerbahce for over £15 million last summer. He has been a vital part of his team's Serie A triumph in the ongoing 2022-23 season.
A right-footed centre-back blessed with tackling and aggression, the 47-cap South Korea international has attracted interest from a host of European clubs due to his good performances. Manchester United, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have all expressed an interest in snapping the player up this summer, as per Foot Mercato.
However, according to Il Mattino, the Red Devils have edged ahead in the transfer race to rope in Kim. They have offered the former Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors star an annual salary of £8 million to convince him about a move.
Manchester United are also prepared to activate Kim's £56.5 million release clause ahead of the next campaign.
Meanwhile, Kim's agent has squashed the rumors involving the Red Devils and his client. He told Star News:
"The transfer of Kim Min-jae joining Manchester United is not true. Currently, he is focusing on finishing the season. In the case of a move to Premier League, the qualification to the Champions League or the final table have not been decided. There is no need to move. He has to be enlisted in June, so he doesn't have to rush."
Erik ten Hag's outfit are currently in the market to sign a centre-back as the likes of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof are believed to leave this summer. Liverpool, on the other hand, are hoping to snap up a new centre-back to inject new blood into their backline. Virgil van Dijk has been sub-par this season while Joel Matip could leave soon.
Manchester United and Liverpool keen to sign young defender: Reports
According to Le10Sport, PSG teenager El Chadaille Bitshiabu has drawn interest from a host of clubs of late. Manchester United, Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt are all keen to rope in the centre-back.
Bitshiabu, who joined the Parisians from Boulogne-Billancourt's academy in 2017, has appointed Jorge Mendes as his agent, as per L'Equipe. He could be offered to clubs in the near future as Mendes is not known for keeping his clients at the same club for a long time. Furthermore, the 18-year-old star is in the final 14 months of his current deal at PSG.
A left-footed centre-back blessed with heading and strength, the three-cap France U19 international has emerged as one of the best defensive talents in the Ligue 1 this season. He has made 14 appearances so far this season.
