Kim Min-jae is developing a fabulous reputation at Napoli (Picture: Getty Images)
Liverpool are set to join the race for Napoli defender Kim Min-jae, rivalling Manchester United for his signature this summer.
The 26-year-old has been linked with a string of clubs after a breakout season in Italy with Napoli and an impressive World Cup in Qatar with South Korea.
Tottenham, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have also been touted as possible destinations for the centre-back, although Manchester United were thought to be emerging as favourites to bring him in.
However, Italian publication Rai, via FourFourTwo, report that Liverpool intend to muscle in on the action and could be set to pay around £60m for Kim.
It would be a remarkable rise for the South Korean, who only signed for Napoli from Fenerbache last year and is in his first season in Serie A.
He had only spent one campaign in Turkey after moving to Fenerbahce from Beijing Guoan in 2021 but has done enough to attract a lot of attention.
Napoli are enjoying a sensational season, clear at the top of Serie A and still in the Champions League so there is no certainty that Kim would even want to leave.
On international duty this month, he dismissed rumours of a move and said he is only focussing on what is to come with Napoli.
‘As you know, those rumours are not true at all. I want to focus on my team. I have many tournaments to play,’ Min-Jae said after his country’s 2-2 draw with Colombia last week.
‘It’s been four or years I have had these rumours. It’s uncomfortable. I wish you don’t spread those stories.
‘I cannot be bothered by transfer rumours because they aren’t true. Now I’m focusing on the team, rather than that kind of nonsense
‘There are so many important matches to go and right now I only want to focus on Napoli.’
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The 26-year-old has had a superb season in Italy.