{"id":21097,"date":"2023-03-20T20:45:17","date_gmt":"2023-03-20T20:45:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2023\/03\/20\/spurs-paratici-plotting-move-for-kim-min-jae\/"},"modified":"2023-03-20T20:45:17","modified_gmt":"2023-03-20T20:45:17","slug":"spurs-paratici-plotting-move-for-kim-min-jae","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2023\/03\/20\/spurs-paratici-plotting-move-for-kim-min-jae\/","title":{"rendered":"Spurs: Paratici plotting move for Kim Min-jae"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Tottenham Hotspur<\/a> sporting director Fabio Paratici could well be looking to bolster the club’s centre-back ranks this summer, with the Lilywhites reportedly interested in a move for Napoli sensation, Kim Min-jae.<\/p>\n


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What’s the latest on Kim Min-jae to Spurs?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n

According to Football Insider<\/a>, the north London outfit are said to be plotting a fresh approach for the South Korea international, having previously missed out on signing the 26-year-old in the past.<\/p>\n

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The report suggests that Paratici and co have seen bids for the defender rebuffed by the Serie A side in recent times, while former boss Jose Mourinho outlined<\/a> that he had been keen on signing the 47-cap<\/a> titan during his stint in charge at N17.<\/p>\n

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The piece adds that the former Fenerbahce man – who is attracting the interest<\/a> of fellow Premier League<\/a> side Manchester United<\/a> – has a release clause of around \u00a343m that is set to become active for two weeks in July, with the player having only arrived in Naples on a reported \u20ac18m<\/a> (\u00a316m) deal during the summer.<\/p>\n

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Who could Kim replace at Spurs?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n

Tottenham’s latest league meeting away to Southampton<\/a> showcased that defensive reinforcements are required if the club are to enjoy something of a revival next season, with Antonio Conte’s men having shipped three goals against the relegation-threatened Saints at the weekend.<\/p>\n

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One of the many culprits in that late collapse was arguably that of England international, Eric Dier, with the long-serving stalwart having again been something of a villain<\/a> on the day, winning just two<\/a> of his five total duels and being dribbled past on two occasions.<\/p>\n

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That limp showing earned the 29-year-old a dismal match rating of 6.2, as per Sofascore<\/a> – the lowest of any starting player among Conte’s side – having epitomised what has been a disappointing season for the one-time Sporting CP ace, with journalist Ryan Taylor<\/a> stating that the experienced figure is “nowhere near the required level for what Spurs are trying to achieve.”<\/p>\n

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Part of a backline that has already shipped 40<\/a> goals in the top flight this season – the eight-worst record in the division – Dier, who was branded “dreadful<\/a>” by journalist Alasdair Gold earlier in the campaign, could well be a figure who needs to be replaced sooner rather than later.<\/p>\n

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As such, the signing of the aforementioned Kim could well be the dream replacement as far as Paratici and co are concerned, with the 6 foot 3 rock having been hailed as the “best centre-back in the world<\/a>” by Napoli boss, Luciano Spalletti.<\/p>\n

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Also lauded as an “iron barrel<\/a>” by teammate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the one-time Beijing Guoan rock has been a key part of the Italian outfit’s rampant title charge, with Spalletti’s men also surging into the Champions League<\/a> quarter-finals with relative ease.<\/p>\n

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Not only is Kim a real physical presence – showcased by the fact that he ranks in the top 12%<\/a> in Europe’s top five leagues among those in his position for aerial duels won – but he is also truly comfortable with the ball at his feet, as he ranks in the top 19% for both progressive passes and progressive carries.<\/p>\n

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Dier, by contrast, ranks in just the top 24%<\/a> for aerial duels won, while his woes in possession are laid bare by the fact that the Cheltenham-born brute ranks in just the bottom 34% for progressive passes and the bottom 18% for progressive carries.<\/p>\n

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That should indicate that Kim – who has kept 11<\/a> clean sheets in 26 league starts this term – represents the all-round asset that Tottenham are in need of to help shore up the backline next season.<\/p>\n

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