‘We’re going to miss KIM,’ Coach Ten Haag fumed… “Opportunity gone. Must invest aggressively”

In the wake of news that ‘oil money’ Newcastle have entered the race to sign Kim Min-jae (27, Napoli), Manchester United (United) manager Eric ten Hagh (53) has urged the club to “invest”.

“Mourinho insists the club must invest in the summer if they are to compete for trophies next season,” British media outlet 90min reported on Tuesday.

United finished the 2022-2023 English Premier League (EPL) season in third place. That was better than their sixth-place finish the previous season. With their momentum back, United’s goal is to win the league next season.

“The club is moving in the right direction, but we need to bring in players to take it to the next level,” Van Gaal told the media after the EPL final against Fulham on Sept. 29 (a 2-1 United win).

“There has to be a huge investment (in the summer transfer window),” he said, “We still have a long way to go. If you want to compete for trophies, you have to invest. If you don’t, you’ll lose out to other clubs. “If you want to compete for trophies, you have to invest, otherwise you will be behind other clubs.” He emphasized that he wants to invest heavily and win the title next season.

At the center of United’s summer transfer plans is the acquisition of a new number nine. According to 90min, the Red Devils want to sign one of Harry Kane (Tottenham), Victor Osimhen (Napoli), Dusan Blagojevich (Juventus), or Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan).

In addition, the outlet adds that defender “Kim Min-Jae is also being linked with a move to United.”

Even Van Gaal is urging United’s hierarchy to invest heavily. If the club is passive, they could miss out on players who are on their radar.

Until recently, United were strongly linked with Kim Min-jae. However, amidst the uncertainty of a possible sale, the club is suddenly in danger of losing the lead to ‘oil money’ Newcastle.

The Red Devils will need to solidify their defense next season. With first-choice defender Harry Maguire becoming an “automatic door” due to his sub-par defense, a defensive transplant has become a necessity. The Sun recently reported that United would be willing to pay a buyout to bring in Kim Min-Jae.

However, Newcastle, who are well-funded, are also keen to sign the rare ‘monster’ defender. They are as active as Man United because money is not an obstacle.

After stints in the Korean K League 1, Jeonbuk Hyundai and the Chinese Super League, Kim made the move to Fenerbahçe in 2021.

In just one season with the club, Kim won the Italian Serie A title. He helped the team reach the top. Led by a solid defense, Napoli won the Scudetto for the first time in 33 years, since the 1989-1990 season with the late Diego Maradona.

“Newcastle are reportedly fans of ‘the world’s best center back’ Kim Min-jae,” according to the Newcastle-based newspaper Jordi Boot Voice, which recently reported that Newcastle are keen to trigger his buyout clause. European soccer transfer expert Fabrizio Romano echoed the sentiment, saying that Newcastle are pushing to sign Kim. The situation is far from reassuring for United, who have been leading the race to sign the player 메이저놀이터.

In the meantime, United’s ‘commander-in-chief’, Van Gaal, has been urging the club to ‘invest heavily’.