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Former Liverpool winger John Barnes thinks Kim Min-jae could replace Raphael Varane going forward
John Barnes, a former Liverpool winger, has claimed that Manchester United target Kim Min-jae could be a long-term replacement for Raphael Varane.
United have been interested in getting the South Korean international from Napoli for some time now. The latest on it is that German champions Bayern Munich are also interested in him.
It remains to be seen if the Red Devils can take the upper hand in this potential transfer race and sign the player before Bayern garner a few more steps towards the deal.
If United are able to sign Min-jae, Barnes feels he could be an ideal long-term replacement for Varane in the side. Here’s what the former Liverpool star said (h/t MyBettingSites, via Manchester Evening News):
“A move for Kim Min-Jae would be great for United as Varane isn’t going to be around forever. Also it hasn’t quite worked out for Harry Maguire so they will be looking to find a long-term partner for Lisandro Martinez.
“You have to think short, medium and long term and Varane isn’t going to be around forever so for the future he would be a very good signing.”
Min-jae is 26 years old while Varane is 30. The latter could still have 2-3 seasons of top level football left in him. So, it is not like the Frenchman is nearing the end of his career, is he?
This is not to belittle what a good player Min-jae is. The South Korean star was one of the main reasons why Napoli won the Scudetto. He is a technically strong defender who reads the game well and has the pace to track opposition runners even while playing a high defensive line.
While we saw Varane forming a solid central defensive partnership with Lisandro Martinez during the 2022/23 season, there is a case for Min-jae to break that chain and partner with the former. Martinez can play in other positions, including defensive midfield.
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Hence, forget long-term replacement, if United signed Min-jae, he would elevate the quality of the squad in the defensive department and could challenge for a place in the regular XI from day one.
