Napoli could hand Wolves defender Max Kilman a big pay rise as the Serie A giants look to bring in the centre-half from the Premier League as a replacement for the Bayern Munich-bound Kim Min-Jae.
Max Kilman would certainly have big boots to fill at the Estadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Kim Min-Jae, according to former Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti, established himself as the ‘best defender in the world’ as the Partenopei ended their over-30-year wait for Scudetto glory last term, his colossal performances paving the way for a move to German giants Bayern Munich.
But its easy to forget that Kim too arrived at Napoli under pressure to replace the seemingly irreplaceable Kalidou Koulibaly. Kilman could do worse than to take inspiration from the man he could succeed at the heart of the Neopolitan backline, with La Repubblica reporting that the Serie A champions are in ‘constant contact’ with the Wolves star’s camp.
Wolves defender Max Kilman in Napoli talks
Kilman possesses Kim’s remarkable well-rounded skillset. While a terrific defender, he is also smoother than a James Bond pick-up line with the ball at his feet.
La Repubblica insist that there is currently no agreement with Wolves regarding the transfer fee. Wolverhampton Wanderers want £34 million – a sum Napoli are not yet willing to match. What’s more, Julen Lopetegui’s side are unlikely to be under any immediate pressure to let Kilman go, having sold fellow centre-half Nathan Collins to Brentford this week for a cool £23 million.
But, as La Repubblica point out, Wolves might not stand in Kilman’s way with Champions League table on offer in Italy.
Reporter Luca Cerchione believes that Kilman would also take home around £50,000-a-week at Napoli. That is £35,000-a-week more than he currently earns at Wolves, if Spotrac are to be believed.
Kim Min-Jae, meanwhile, will reportedly undergo medical tests with Bayern Munich today. Fabrizio Romano reports that the Bundesliga champions have triggered the release clause in the South Korea international’s contract.