Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur 'battling for Kim Min-jae'

The 26-year-old made the move to Napoli from Fenerbahce last summer, and he has been in strong form for the Blues during the 2022-23 campaign, making 36 appearances in all competitions, contributing two goals and one assist in the process.

Kim's future has been the subject of much speculation in recent months, with a number of clubs believed to be keeping a close eye on his form this term.

According to the Daily Mail, Man United, Liverpool and Tottenham are all looking to sign him in the upcoming market, as there is a £39m release clause in his contract.

The report claims that 'several European clubs' want the South Korea international, but the centre-back would prefer to move to the Premier League if he switched clubs this summer.

Napoli are believed to be keen to hand Kim a new deal in order to remove the release clause, which would allow them to demand a higher fee at the end of the campaign.

The defender recently played down rumours that he could leave his Italian club this summer.

"As you know, those rumours are not true at all. I want to focus on my team. I have many tournaments to play," the Daily Mail quoted Kim as saying at the time.

"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."

Kim played for Gyeongju KHNP, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Beijing Guoan before making the move to Fenerbahce, representing the Turkish outfit for one season before arriving in Naples.

The South Korean has featured on 27 occasions in Serie A this season, with Napoli in a commanding position at the top of the table, sitting 16 points clear of second-placed Lazio.

Kim has also featured in all eight of his team's Champions League games this term, with the Blues preparing to take on AC Milan in the quarter-finals of the competition.

Man United, Liverpool and Spurs are all looking to sign new centre-backs this summer, with the former potentially allowing both Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire to move on.