Final nail hammered into collapsed Man Utd transfer, as Ten Hag switches focus to €80m pair
A trusted reporter has confirmed a Man Utd move for Kim Min-jae was never done despite intense speculation in Italy, while Erik ten Hag is now fixing his gaze on a Ligue 1 pair.
Fabrizio Romano was among those to confirm Napoli centre-back, Kim Min-jae, was a concrete target for Man Utd this summer. The Red Devils are seeking an upgrade on Harry Maguire and Kim, 26, was understood to be in their sights.
But while United certainly held interest in the player, erroneous reports from Italy have since proven to be wide of the mark.
Indeed, the Italian media and Naples-based newspaper Il Mattino in particular repeatedly declared a deal between Man Utd and Napoli for Kim to be ‘done’.
Instead, it’s Bayern Munich who are set to sign the South Korean to a five-year deal once they trigger the roughly €47m release clause that activates for a two-week period on July 1.
Now, speaking in his column for Caught Offside, CBS Sports reporter, Ben Jacobs, confirmed Man Utd “never had a deal done” with Kim.
And with the dominant defender heading to Germany, Ten Hag has now relocated his centre-back hunt to the French top flight.
Man Utd switch focus to Disasi and Todibo
“Man Utd never had a done deal with Kim and could now turn their attention to Monaco’s Axel Disasi, who is open to the move,” wrote Jacobs.
“Monaco are asking for €50m, and if Man Utd proceed, they’ll hope for a lower fee.
“The club have also scouted Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo, who is likely to be available for around €30m. Nothing is advanced at this point.”
Disasi and Todibo are both right-footed and would challenge Raphael Varane for a starting berth if signed.
Of the pair, Disasi looks better placed to cause Varane a headache. Indeed, aged 25, he has a two-year experience advantage on the 23-year-old Todibo and already has four senior caps for France to his name. Todibo, meanwhile, has only represented France at Under-20 level.
Echoing Jacobs’ claims, Fabrizio Romano recently confirmed both Disasi and Todibo are on Man Utd’s wanted list.
In the event either player does wind up at Old Trafford, the greenlight will presumably then be given for club captain Harry Maguire to depart.
Victor Lindelof is attracting interest from Bundesliga outfit Eintracht Frankfurt. However, the Sweden captain impressed in limited appearances last season and Ten Hag has seen enough to determine Lindelof must not be sold.
As such, talks over a new contract are understood to have opened.
READ MORE: Shock Chelsea interest forces Man Utd to accelerate move for £65m star after talks ‘stagnated’
