[서울신문] Minjae Kim, EPL transfer re-ignite? British Mirror “Preparing for Tottenham Recruitment”

A British local report that Sohn Heung-min (29) is playing in the English professional football Premier League (EPL) Tottenham is again interested in the recruitment of defender Kim Min-jae (25, Beijing Guoan) of the Korean national football team.

The British daily Mirror reported on the 15th (Korean time), “Tottenham is preparing to jump before signing in to prevent’monster’ Kim Min-jae from moving to Chelsea.” Football London also quoted a mirror and reported that “Son Heung-min delivered his evaluation of Kim Min-jae to Tottenham. Tottenham re-ignited the interest in recruiting Kim Min-jae, Son Heung-min’s national teammate.”

Even in the summer of last year, British media reported that EPL teams were interested in recruiting Kim Min-jae. When central defender Jan Vertongen moved to Benfica, Portugal, Tottenham, who was looking for alternative resources, was connected with Beijing. However, an agreement was not reached in the transfer negotiations, and Kim Min-jae’s entry into the European stage was delayed. Then, when the winter transfer market opens, the EPL teams are again interested in Kim Min-jae.

Mirror said, “As London rival Chelsea showed interest in Kim Min-jae, Tottenham was ready to compete for recruitment. Tottenham is planning a new move to participate in the recruitment competition with Chelsea.” Mirror introduced Kim Min-jae as a rising star in Asia, nicknamed “Monster”, and predicted that his transfer would be a blow to manager Slaven Bilich, who took the lead in Beijing.

Last year, Kim Min-jae’s transfer fee was estimated at £15 million (about 22.6 billion won), but the date of expiration of the contract with Beijing is approaching December this year, and the ransom is inevitably lowered. Therefore, Beijing is expected to carefully review Kim Min-jae’s transfer.

Reporter Hong Ji-min [email protected]