Newcastle United are fiercely ambitious.
Not long after losing the Carabao Cup final to Manchester United in February, director Amanda Staveley spoke of the desire to come back and win major trophies.
Indeed, this is a new and improved Newcastle United.
Ambitious at every level, they are not ones to give up in the transfer market.
Both Anthony Gordon and Sven Botman have been signed the window after they were initially tracked, such is the confidence the recruitment team have in their targets.
Which brings us to Napoli star Kim min-Jae.
Only days ago, it was claimed Manchester United were closing in on a deal for the South Korea international.
There, however, has been a new development.
Newcastle accelerate talks to sign Kim min-Jae
According to Foot Mercato, Newcastle have accelerated talks to sign the 26-year-old.
They claim the club “dream” of signing the defender, who was hailed as “incredible” and the “best centre-back in the world” by manager Luciano Spalletti earlier this season.
Both Man United and Paris Saint-Germain are still said to be keen on Kim, who reportedly has a release clause of around £42m active in July.
With Eddie Howe’s side back in the Champions League next season, it seems the Napoli star is the man he wants to strengthen what is already a fearsome backline.
Pulling this signing off would be some coup
To potentially beat Man United and PSG to a signing would be a huge moment for Newcastle.
While it’s difficult to imagine the club will enter a bidding war in terms of wages given the reports of wanting to keep the current structure in tact, Kim picking St James’ Park ahead of such other clubs would underline just what a top destination Newcastle is these days.
Though there is a lot more ground to cover, to potentially be in with a chance of landing such an in-demand player is hugely exciting.
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