Napoli know Everton lurk for Kim Min-Jae as move for Fenebahce defender remains open
Napoli are aware of Everton making a move for Fenerbahce defender Kim Min-Jae despite reports that the Serie A club had won the race for the Korean international according to Italian journalist Ciro Venerato.
Corriere Dello Sport reported that (July 20, Pg. 6) the Serie A side are willing to pay the £17million release clause and sign the 25-year-old.
However, Venerato, of Rai Radio, has suggested that there is plenty of work for the Serie A side to do before they land the defender with Everton waiting to pounce.
He told Calcio Napoli 24 on Wednesday 20 July: “The contract has not yet been signed and Fenerbahce have not yet accepted.
“They [Everton] have had an interview with the agents and Napoli also know this.”
Not yet done
Despite it being a very slim chance, a move for the defender still hangs by a thread for Everton and if they can potentially show better negotiation skills than Napoli then they may have a chance.
Another defensive recruit is very much needed after the Toffees allowed Jarrad Branthwaite to leave Goodison Park on a season-long loan deal to PSV Eindhoven.
Lampard has already added James Tarkowski to his defensive unit this summer, but another recruit would make sense for the Toffees, as the Everton boss looks to build from a solid base going into the 2022/23 Premier League season.
After Everton lost 4-0 in a preseason friendly against Minnesota United, Evertonians would really take anything at this point in order to bring some positivity back to the club.
Lampard and Kevin Thelwell certainly have their work cut out heading into the new Premier League campaign with very little to suggest that the Merseyside club will fair much better than their awful 2021/22 season.
Morgan Gibbs-White and Maxwel Cornet are two names that have been mentioned in recent weeks.
Surely a flurry of additions are around the corner?