Fulvio Marrucco, an agent and intermediary in the deal that brought Kim Min-Jae to Napoli, revealed that the Partenopei had the chance to sign the Korean defender earlier than they did.
The 25-year-old centre back has been a key figure under Luciano Spalletti this season, being the perfect replacement for their talismanic defender Kalidou Koulibaly, who left for Chelsea. Kim has appeared in all but one of Napoli’s games so far this season and looked confident and calm at the back, being defensively solid and consistent.
Speaking to Radio CRC, Marrucco detailed how Napoli had the opportunity to pick up Kim before he made the move to Fenerbahce last year.
“I proposed him some time ago, but then no negotiations were undertaken. It was the time when many players wanted to leave China because salaries had been lowered, so many players would have liked to move.
“Among them was Kim, whom I proposed to Napoli, but at the time Napoli were sufficiently organised at the back. At the moment I think that beyond everything that is being discussed in this wonderful period, the key point is the contract of Cristiano Giuntoli.”
Since his arrival at Napoli, the 25-year-old Kim has shone, averaging 1.38 tackles per 90 minutes, 1.38 blocks per 90 and 1.88 interceptions per 90. He signed a three-year deal with Napoli that contains an option for an extra two years.
kim has been one of the best signing in serie A, he has seemlessly replaced koulibaly at the back with minimum fuss,