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Football London
Football London
Sport
Sam Hill

Mauricio Pochettino dealt Chelsea transfer blow as Napoli star makes Manchester United decision

Napoli star Kim Min-jae has decided to join Manchester United this summer with Erik ten Hag's side and Chelsea still pursuing a deal for the South Korean's team-mate, Victor Osimhen. The 26-year-old defender has been linked with summer switches to Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford for months despite only moving to Naples last year.

The South Korean international enjoyed a brilliant campaign as he starred in the club’s Serie A title-winning campaign, but his contract is believed to contain a €50million (£43million) release clause. The Blues signed Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli last summer with the Italian outfit bringing Jae to the club from Fenerbache as his replacement.

Koulibaly has struggled in his debut season at Stamford Bridge and reports have suggested the Senegalese defender could be sold this summer just a year after he completed a £30million move to West London. Napoli are braced for a flurry of offers for Osimhen this summer with the club setting a £130million asking price for the Nigerian.

READ MORE: Chelsea's record fee leaves Mauricio Pochettino with an annoying Romelu Lukaku transfer issue

It seems that Napoli could have a number of their key players poached from the club by Europe's elite clubs with Chelsea and United both pursuing deals for Kim Min-jae and Osimhen. A report in Naples-based Il Mattino states that United are in pole position to land Osimhen this summer with their interest accelerating due to Newcastle and Paris Saint-Germain monitoring the Nigerian’s situation.

Chelsea sent scouts to watch the 24-year-old in Napoli's defeat against Monza on Sunday, with the report adding that the same figures involved in convincing Kim to join United are attempting to make the Osimhen deal a reality. Talks between Napoli and Ten Hag's side for Kim are complimenting that of Osimhen, after United first outlined their interest to the club last August and Napoli are open to a sale for the right price this summer.

Napoli chiefs believe that the Nigerian forward is becoming distracted by the interest from Premier League clubs ahead of next season. There is a growing sense that Napoli will cash-in on the player this summer, and only should they receive an offer which they see as impossible to refuse - despite president Aurelio de Laurentiis stating that Osimhen will not be sold.

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