Transfer Journalist confirms Man United are still in pursuit of Napoli's Kim Min Jae, but...

Kim Min-jae is still a target for Manchester United, but the club is just one of many that are "monitoring" the situation, according to transfer Journalist Fabrizio Romano. The 26-year-old had a standout first season after moving from Fenerbahce to Napoli last summer.

With the best defensive record in Serie A (16), Napoli are 19 points in front, and Kim has played in 26 of their 27 league games, clocking 2282 minutes of play out of a potential 2430.

It's understandable why United would want the South Korean, who ranks fourth on the team in tackles per game (1.6), first in interceptions per game (1.2), first in clearances per game (3.9), first in shots stopped per game (1.0), and has only been dribbled past three times.

Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, and Phil Jones are among Erik ten Hag's choices at center back, but some of his defenders face uncertain futures.

Harry Maguire has been linked with a transfer away from Old Trafford because he no longer commands a starting position. Due to his illness, Victor Lindelof has played even less, so he might seek a transfer to increase his playing time. Jones' contract expires this summer and he has long battled with injuries.

Phil Jones would be well-replaced by Kim, but it's unclear whether he'd sign with a team that didn't promise him a spot in the starting lineup. 

A different prospect might be a more alluring offer for the 26-year-old if he finds himself behind Martinez and Varane at Manchester United next season.

Ten Hag, a talented center back, might believe he has enough help in the backfield in the form of Lindelof and Maguire. No team has allowed fewer goals at home than United, who are only ninth in the table for goals surrendered (35). (8 goals).

Fabrizio Romano claims that Kim Min Jae is of interest to Manchester United, but he made no reference to a potential deal. Ten Hag must take the future of current players into account when deciding whether to acquire another center-back. His release clause is just short of €50 million (£44 million), if United do decide to pursue the South Korean player.