Bayern Munich 'rivalling Manchester United for Kim Min-jae'

The 26-year-old was in excellent form for Napoli during the 2022-23 campaign, featuring on 45 occasions in all competitions, scoring twice and contributing two assists in the process.

Kim, who moved to Naples from Galatasaray last summer, was key to his side's Serie A title success, while he also helped the Blues reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

There has recently been a host of speculation surrounding the South Korea international's future, though, with a number of major European clubs said to be keen on his signature.

Man United are thought to be in pole position for the centre-back, with a recent report claiming that a deal could go through at the start of July when a release clause in his contract becomes active.

However, according to German journalist Florian Plettenberg, Bayern are also firmly in the race for the South Korean's signature this summer.

Plettenberg claims that the German club's manager Thomas Tuchel is a huge admirer of the defender, and discussions surrounding a possible deal are 'proceeding well'.

There has been a lot of confusion surrounding the buy-out fee that allegedly exists in Kim's contract.

The centre-back has a deal with Napoli until June 2025, with the option of a further two years, but he will reportedly be available for between €50m (£43m) and €70m (£60m) next month.

Man United currently have a number of options in the middle of their defence, with Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire all available to head coach Erik ten Hag.

Luke Shaw also impressed in that area of the field when called upon last season, while Eric Bailly is set to return to Old Trafford this summer following a loan spell at Marseille.

However, Maguire is expected to be sold this summer due to his struggles for action, and Bailly is also likely to move on, with the Ivory Coast international not in Ten Hag's plans.

The departures of Axel Tuanzebe and Phil Jones will also make room for another centre-back to arrive, with Kim seemingly being identified as the club's leading target.

However, should Bayern win the race for the South Korean, Man United could allegedly switch their attention to AS Monaco's Axel Disasi or Leeds United's Robin Koch.