Manchester United set to pull out of race for Serie A winner

Manchester United continue to be linked with a number of potential targets as the transfer window goes on. 

The likes of Harry Kane, Mason Mount and Declan Rice have all been linked with big money moves to Old Trafford, but the Red Devils are yet to officially complete a signing during the current window.

Now, it appears that the Manchester outfit will miss out on another of their targets.

As per Football Insider, United are set to pull out of the race to sign Napoli defender Kim Min-jae.

The Red Devils have been heavily linked with a move for the South Korea international for several weeks now and it had previously looked like a deal might be completed, but the Premier League side will now end their interest, the report claims.

Kim, 26, joined Napoli from Turkish Super Lig side Fenerbahce last summer and played a crucial role as the Italian side won the Serie A title for the first time in three decades last term.

He made 45 appearances across all competitions, including 35 in the league, and impressed throughout the campaign.

Kim’s sensational form helped Napoli to the Serie A title last season

His performances didn’t go unnoticed, though, and the centre-back has been heavily linked with a move away from the club in recent weeks.

United were initially believed to be leading the race to sign the player, but more recently German outfit Bayern Munich have been in pole position and it appears that the Bundesliga champions will agree a deal.

Kim is said to have a release clause in the contract that he signed when joining Napoli, with the clause becoming active next month.

It is said to run until 2025, although it looks increasingly likely that the South Korean defender will depart Naples this summer.

United boss Ten Hag is prioritising signing a new central defender this summer, with first choice pairing Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez having both missed spells of last season due to injury.