According to a report from South Korean outlet KBS News, Tottenham and Beijing Guoan have commenced ‘positive‘ talks to exchange 6ft 3 colossus Kim-Min jae – with the two sides ‘in tune‘ over a potential transfer as chairman Daniel Levy sets his sights on a bargain move.
Min-jae, who has made 48 Korean top flight appearances already at just 23-years-old, is currently known as one of the rising stars of football in Asia – with a host of top European clubs having already shown interest in the defender.
Can Kim-Min jae succeed Jan Vertonghen?
Yes, no doubt about it
No, unproven defender
Indeed, Everton, RB Leipzig, Lazio, Porto, Watford, Southampton and PSV Eindhoven have all previously monitored the international – with Spurs now allegedly locked in discussions over a potential €17 million (£15.4 million) transfer.
Nicknamed the ‘monster‘ due to his imposing build and formidable defensive attributes, Min-jae was unlucky to miss the 2018 World Cup through injury – so far amassing a noteworthy 30 caps for South Korea at a relatively young age.
The centre-back was also named in the 2019 Asia Cup team of the tournament despite his side going out in the quarter-finals after a shock defeat to minnows Qatar.
Taking all this into account, chairman Levy is now reportedly keen to bring him to north London, with negotiations over the towering defender going smoothly thus far.
Indeed, senior sources at Spurs apparently see Min-jae as a successor to Belgian stalwart Jan Vertonghen – with the club servant looking set to leave after an eight-year stay.
Whether or not we secure the deal remains to be seen, but given Min-jae’s reputation, it could be a stellar coup.