Napoli heartbroken…”Kim Min-jae never considered re-signing for Napoli, countdown begins”
Napoli fans will be saddened by this news. Kim Min-jae has never considered re-signing with Napoli.
Napoli’s local media outlet ‘Area Napoli’ reported on the 26th (KST), “Kim Min-jae never considered re-signing with Napoli. Napoli would have wanted to keep the Korean player by modifying or eliminating his clause. However, the player and his agent had other ideas,” the report said.
What a season for Kim Min-jae. Kim joined Napoli last summer for €18.05 million (approximately KRW 25.7 billion), and he took no time at all to integrate into the team, instantly captivating the ‘Land of the Catenaccio’ with his aggressive defense based on his physicality and football intelligence.
It was a satisfying ending for both team and player. Napoli won their first Scudetto in 33 years after dominating the competition all season long, conceding the fewest goals in the league (28) behind Kim’s solid defense. They also reached the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) for the first time in their history.
Kim Min-jae also had an outstanding year. After being named Serie A Player of the Month in September and Italian Footballers’ Association Player of the Month in October, Kim was named Serie A’s Best Defender and Team of the Season for the 2022-23 season on the last two days. He has also been named to the European Sports Media (ESM) Team of the Month four times and is a lock for the Team of the Season 메이저놀이터.
Any team would love to have him. Napoli was no different. Napoli had been in contact with Kim since last winter to discuss a contract extension. It was a quick “door-to-door” for the defender who helped Napoli to the top of Italy.
But Kim repeatedly refused. He didn’t want his release clause removed. When Kim initially signed his contract with Napoli, the club inserted a buyout clause starting at a minimum of 50 million euros ($71.3 billion). The clause would be triggered between July 1 and 15.
For Napoli, it was a bad deal. So they fought hard to get the release clause removed. According to Giovanni Scotto, a reporter for Italy’s Il Roma, an authoritative source on Napoli, team president Cristiano Giuntoli had been in contact with Kim Min-jae’s agent since the beginning of the year and tried to remove the buyout by offering to extend his contract, but Kim rejected all of the offers.
This report is a ‘confirmation of death’. ‘Area Napoli’ said, “The countdown has begun and is progressing relentlessly. Kim Min-jae’s release clause takes effect on Saturday. Napoli’s attempts to hold on to him so far have been in vain.”
“His agent has not considered the possibility of re-signing with Napoli at all. This is a clear indication of his desire to take on a new challenge at a top European club,” he added, noting that Kim’s goal this season was to move on to a bigger club.
Meanwhile, Kim Min-jae has been linked with a move to Bayern Munich. Santi Auna, a reporter for France’s Foot Mercato, said on May 15, “Kim Min-jae is on Munich’s transfer list. Talks took place last week. The first conversation was very positive and a first offer has been sent to his agent.”
Since then, the transfer rumor mill has been on fire. Florian Plettenberg of Sky Sports, Kerry Howe of Germany’s Sport1, and German soccer publication Kicker, among others, have all reported that the two clubs are close to reaching an agreement.
The scenario is coming together. Germany’s Bild reported on April 22, “If Luca Hernandez goes, Kim Min-jae will come (to Munich). This scenario is now almost finalized.” Hernandez currently has a verbal agreement with PSG on personal terms 메이저놀이터순위.
The finalization of the deal is expected to be finalized upon Kim’s release from training camp. Kim has been in Nonsan Training Center for basic military training since July 15. An official announcement from Munich is expected around July 5, when he will be released back into society.