According to reports, Everton, along with Premier League rivals Southampton and Watford, are interested in Beijing Guoan’s ‘monster’ defender, Kim Min-jae.
The reports in The Guardian claim that the South Korean centre-back is ‘one of the rising stars in Asian football’, with Everton having registered a ‘firm interest’ in the 6ft 3in 23-year-old.
The Guardian goes on to state that while there is significant interest in the defender from the likes of RB Leipzig, Lazio, Porto and PSV Eindhoven, Kim’s heart is set on a move to the Premier League, with Watford having reportedly attempted to sign the South Korean international in the past, as well as Southampton monitoring the situation of the defender.
The centre-back is also thought to have impressed scouts with his ‘quick feet, long passing and reading of the game, as well as his aggression’, and that Beijing Guoan, who are prepared to sell Kim, would be looking for a fee of around £13.5m for the defender.
TIF Thoughts…
Since joining Beijing Guoan from Jeonbuk Motors for a fee of £4.73m back in January 2019, Kim has gone on to make 34 appearances for the Chinese club.
The defender has also won the Korean top flight in both 2017 and 2018, being named in the league’s team of the season on both occasions, as well as the U23 Asian Games with South Korea.
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As such, should Everton manage to sign the defender, it would appear that they would be gaining a player that has experienced success at both a domestic and international level, and with the obvious benefit of a 6ft 3in frame, one who is likely a presence in both penalty areas.