Journalist Raffaele Auriemma has revealed that Tottenham Hotspur have already conveyed that they are ready to meet Kim Min-Jae’s release clause during next summer’s transfer window.
Tottenham and many other clubs will perhaps be ruing the fact that they missed out on Kim in the summer, with the centre-back taking the Serie A by storm since his move to Napoli in the summer.
Reports in the Italian press over recent weeks have indicated that Spurs are among many European clubs who are plotting moves for the South Korean international on the back of his impressive showing in Naples during the first part of the campaign (CalcioMercatoWeb).
Napoli director Cristiano Giuntoli confirmed last week that the 26-year-old has a release clause in his contract, which will be active for 15 days during next summer’s transfer window (Fabrizio Romano).
La Gazzetta dello Sport revealed a couple of days ago that Luciano Spalletti’s men want to offer Kim a new deal in order to get rid of the release clause amidst interest from several top clubs in Europe.
Auriemma has now revealed that Spurs have already expressed an intention to pay the release clause next summer to reunite the former Fenerbahce man with his international teammate Son Heung-min.
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The journalist said on Radio CRC (22/11/22 as relayed by TuttoNapoli and Sport Witness): “Speaking of strong players, let’s talk about Min-Jae Kim.
“I’m receiving worrying information regarding the possibility that someone could enforce the clause worth €50m (£43.4m) because there is the possibility from the 1st to the 15th of July to buy him by paying the rescission clause.
“Diplomacy is underway to try to extend the agreement between Napoli and the player by removing the clause. We will see if Napoli will succeed.
“In the meantime, there is already one club that has made a move. We are talking about Antonio Conte’s Tottenham, who have made it known that they are ready to pay that €50m clause so that two South Koreans can play together: Kim and Son.
“This confirms how the Premier League is fertile ground for this type of footballer.”
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The fact that Kim’s entourage wanted the release clause added to his contract suggests that the player sees his future away from Napoli, and is potentially eyeing a move to the Premier League.
So, he might be tempted to wait and see the kind of offers that he receives next summer rather than signing a new deal with Napoli. If Tottenham’s interest in the 26-year-old is genuine, perhaps Son can convince the centre-back regarding a switch to North London.
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