Door open for Everton to sign Kim Min-jae after Tottenham stance revealed
Everton and Tottenham Hotspur have submitted bids for Fenerbahce defender Kim Min-Jae, according to a report from Turkish outfit Sabah.
The Toffees are long-term admirers of the South Korean defender, with The Guardian reporting back in 2020 that the Merseyside club were keen to land him.
It seems Everton could be in a favourable position to sign the defender who is already on his way to England to hold talks.
According to journalist Alasdair Gold of Football London, Spurs do retain an interest in him, but he is not “high up their list of potential centre-back signings” for the summer window.
He wrote for Football.London: “One right-footed centre-back continually linked with Spurs is South Korea international Kim Min-jae.
“The 25-year-old centre-back joined Fenerbahce last summer and played 40 times for them last season. He has been reported as being a potential arrival in the Premier League this summer. While he continues to be a player of some interest to Tottenham, he is not – at this stage of the transfer window – understood to be high up their list of potential centre-back signings.”
It means, the Toffees probably are likely in the driving seat to secure the signing of the South Korean who still has a year left on his deal at the Turkish club.
The Toffees desperately need to bolster their defence in the summer, and Frank Lampard has earmarked the right profile for the role.
Yerry Mina struggled with injuries last season (2021-22), while Michael Keane has been far from being consistent.
A new centre-back is required who can add quality and depth to the squad, and Kim Min-jae should fit in nicely.
He is physically strong and good in the air. The South Korean is entering the peak years of his career, and he looks good enough to cope with the physicality of the Premier League.
Although Spurs can tempt him with Champions League football, at the moment it seems their priority lies elsewhere.
Unless there’s a dramatic turn of events, the door has been left open for the Toffees to secure their long-term target this summer.
In other Everton news, the Toffees are showing keen interest in signing Manchester United talent in the summer.
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