Leicester to Rival Tottenham in Race to Sign Kim Min-jae

Exclusive - Leicester City are set to rival Tottenham in the race to sign South Korean defender Kim Min-jae.

The 23-year-old currently plies his trade for Chinese Super League side Beijing Guoan with his performances earning rave reviews over the past few seasons. He has also been capped an impressive 30 times for his country, forming part of the side that earned exemption from military service by winning a gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games.

Spurs are keen on bolstering their defensive options and identified Kim as a potential signing earlier in the transfer window. They even went as far as submitting a £12m bid for the defender nicknamed 'The Monster', but Beijing turned the offer down.

Lazio have also seen a bid for the defender turned, and a source has told 90min that Leicester have now entered the race. The Foxes are experiencing something of an injury crisis at the moment, with Wilfred Ndidi forced to fill in at centre-back during their Premier League curtain raiser against West Bromwich Albion.

Brendan Rodgers has also been chasing St. Etienne centre-back Wesley Fofana. Although Fofana has publicly stated his desire to join Rodgers' side, the Ligue 1 club are holding firm and are determined to keep the Frenchman.

Leicester remain keen on the deal but 90min understands they are planning to recruit two defenders, meaning Kim could join Fofana in the east Midlands.

For now, Tottenham are favourites to land the defender, who has received a glittering recommendation from international teammate Son Heung-min. The Spurs forward has pleaded with the board to sign Kim, arguing that £12m represents a bargain for a player of his talent.

Son's word is likely to carry more weight around the club after he scored a sensational four goals in his side's 5-2 win over Southampton on Sunday.



Source : 90min