Bayern Munich expects to complete the transfer of Kim Min-jae from Napoli by Monday after paying the entire release clause for the defender.
Kim and Manchester United held transfer negotiations last month, but Bayern beat them to the highly-sought after Korean player. After being acquired by Napoli for €18 million from Turkish Fenerbahce last summer, Kim established himself as one of Europe’s top central defenders during his first season. His ascent to stardom has been quick since he joined the Turkish giants in 2021 for just €3m from Beijing Guoan in China.
Much has been talked about a €50 million release clause in Kim’s Napoli contract that became effective on July 1. The reigning Serie A winners were not prepared to discuss an exact transfer cost with possible bidders and that paying the entire sum indicated in the contract was the only option to sign the 26-year-old after attempting to give him a new contract that would have resulted in a significant salary increase while deleting the clause.
The Korean and his team are said to have at one point preferred joining United, who are trying to sell Harry Maguire. Newcastle and Paris Saint-Germain had also tried to get in contract and negotiate with the Korean player, however, Bayern quickly surpassed Napoli, and current sources close to the club confirm that the release clause was paid off in full.
