South Korean defender Kim Min-jae, who currently plays for Chinese side Beijing Guoan, is reportedly a target for Premier League side Everton.
The 23-year-old joined the Chinese club in January 2019, but could be on the move after his impressive performances for the side.
As per The Guardian, numerous clubs across Europe, including Everton, are interested in the Korean centre-back. Southampton and Watford in the Premier League, as well as the likes of RB Leipzig, PSV Eindhoven, Porto, and Lazio are also tracking Min-jae.
His current deal with Beijing Guoan expires in 2021, having penned a two-year deal when he signed for them from Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. The South Korean international has represented his national side 30 times after making his debut in 2017.
Kim Min-jae – A shrewd option for Everton?
Everton are in desperate need of one quality centre-back, as manager Carlo Ancelotti has very few options in central defence.
The Italian manager has Michael Keane, Yerry Mina and Mason Holgate as his three options at centre-back, which is not good enough for a side aiming to qualify for Europe. Mina has been decent at the back, while Keane and Holgate have impressed on occasions, but have not been consistent enough.
Another option at central defence is needed due to the numerous games that Premier League sides play throughout the season. Kim Min-jae would be an interesting option for Everton.
Min-jae is a towering centre-back, standing at 6’3″, and is a player with good pace and awareness in central defence, while also being good in the air.
An aggressive defender, the South Korean gets to opposition attackers quickly and likes to put in tackles too. The Asian is quick with the ball at his feet as well. Min-jae also likes to initiate attacks from the back with his long diagonals and direct passing from the back.
We have seen Premier League players move to China, but never the other way around. The league is growing each year, but it remains to be seen if the gap in quality will affect some players. But, Min-jae is a player who comes with a lot of promise, having ruled the roost in the South Korean league, and impressing in his brief spell in the Chinese league as well.
This is a gamble worth taking as his transfer fee may not be as high as players of similar quality in Europe.