Manchester City are reportedly set to rival Manchester United for the signature of Napoli centre-back Kim Min-jae this summer.
After spending just one season in Turkey with Fenerbahce, the 26-year-old joined Napoli last summer for around £15m, signing a contract until June 2025.
Kim has since established himself as a key player in Luciano Spaletti's side who are on the verge of winning their first Serie A title for 33 years.
The 47-cap South Korea international has made 40 appearances across all competitions for the Parthenopeans, including 30 starts in Serie A and nine in the Champions League.
Kim's impressive spell in Italy is understood to have attracted interest from the Premier League, with Man United said to be weighing up a potential summer move for the centre-back.
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Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur have also been credited with an interest, but The Sun reports that Man City are the latest club to join the race for his signature.
Citizens boss Pep Guardiola is believed to be an admirer of Kim, who possesses a €45m (£40m) release clause in his contract.
Napoli are keen to retain the services of Kim beyond the summer transfer window, but the centre-back is said to 'fancy' a move to the Premier League.
Man City are expected to enter the transfer market for a new central defender this summer, with Aymeric Laporte keen to leave the Etihad Stadium in search of regular first-team football.
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The 28-year-old has started just seven Premier League games this season and has fallen behind Ruben Dias, John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake in the pecking order.
Kim is not the only defender on Man City's radar as RB Leipzig star Josko Gvardiol is believed to be high on Guardiola's list of summer targets.
The 21-year-old left-footed defender has elevated his game to new heights during his time in the Bundesliga and on the international stage with Croatia, and has subsequently caught the eye of a number of top European clubs including Man City, Man United, Chelsea and Real Madrid.
Gvardiol allegedly possesses a £97m release clause in his current Leipzig contract that becomes active in 2024, but the German club could entertain offers in the region of £80m this summer, double the valuation of Kim's release clause at Napoli.
Man City are also said to be interested in 16-year-old Hajduk Split defender Luka Vuskovic, although they could face competition from Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle United.
Oliver Thomas
