Man Utd said the 'sensational' Serie A defender will cost £100m despite having a £43m release clause

Man Utd have been told Napoli defender Kim Min-jae will now cost clubs £100m despite having a £43m release clause in his contract.

Min-jae has risen to prominence over the past year, as he previously plied his trade in South Korea and China.

He moved to Europe ahead of the 2021/22 campaign as Turkish side Fenerbache signed him from Beijing Guoan.

The 26-year-old has been quick to adapt to life at Fenerbache as he was named in the Super Lig Team of the Season last term.

Napoli spent around £15m to sign Min-jae this summer as he was identified as a replacement for Kalidou Koulibaly, who joined from Chelsea.

The Serie A side have done some brilliant business this summer also bringing in Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Frank Anguissa in inexpensive deals.

Napoli are on course to produce something special this season as they top Serie A. They also finished ahead of Liverpool in the Champions League group stage and they are backed as a surprise package in the competition.

Min-jae started in Italy and he's already been linked with a major move elsewhere.

The centre-back was linked with Man Utd as early as September, with the English side apparently regretting not signing him in the summer.

They are now alone in pursuing Min-jae, but Tottenham Hotspur are also admirers of him.

He is part of South Korea's World Cup squad and he helped his side keep a clean sheet in a goalless draw against Uruguay on Thursday night in their opener of the tournament.

Speaking during BBC coverage of the game, former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy claimed to have insider knowledge of Min-jae's assessment.

"I think his recent performances have been so good," Murphy said.

"Clubs are interested now. I was talking to someone this morning who said Manchester United were interested and he was talking about £100m.

"It's how fast you can progress in this game because they were absolutely sensational in Napoli to start the season, him included."

Former Premier League defender Ashley Williams added: "He had a really good season for Napoli, we saw how good he was when he played against Liverpool in the Champions League.

"He's big, imposing, and he's going to have his hands full at the other end trying to deal with [Luis] Suarez and [Darwin] Nunez.

"He's someone they can rely on, you see his size, and he'll try to impress in this game."

Murphy may have to reconsider his sources as Min-jae's current contract which expires in 2025 includes a £43m release clause.

But Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport recently reported that Napoli are hoping to extend his contract until 2028 and that this new deal will not include a release clause.

READ MORE: Who will buy Manchester United? Potential bidders for the Red Devils…