Manchester United have reportedly revived their interest in South Korea star Kim Min-jae a year-and-a-half after they were offered him for just £3million. And their pursuit of the centre-back will thrust Harry Maguire’s Red Devils career into further doubt.
Kim enjoyed a stellar World Cup and played in three of his country’s matches as they reached the last 16 before succumbing to Brazil. The 26-year-old has become an important player for South Korea but was unable to prevent his country being thumped 4-1 by the five-time champions.
According to the Sunday Mirror, United were offered the player for the bargain fee when he was plying his trade for Chinese side Beijing Sinobo Guoan. Tottenham were also tracking the ace at the time but, with the two Premier League giants hesitating to cement the transfer, Turkish club Fenerbahce snapped him up in the summer of 2021, before selling him on to Napoli a year later.
Kim has started all but one of Napoli’s Serie A and Champions League matches this term and has been a standout player for them. And his performances have helped his team climb to the top of the table in Italy and book their place in the knockout stages of Europe’s premier club competition.
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If United can get their hands on Kim, it could prove to be the final nail in the coffin for Maguire. The 29-year-old England international is no longer a regular starter in the north west under new manager Erik ten Hag and has been named in the Dutchman’s starting team in the Premier League on just one occasion since the Red Devils were thumped 4-0 by Brentford in August.
Maguire has played a starring role for the Three Lions at the World Cup in Qatar, however. And if Kim does put pen-to-paper on a deal at Old Trafford, Maguire could attempt to sever ties with his current employers as quickly as possible and move to a new club.
