Newcastle United looks to add key center-back to bolster defense

NAPLES, ITALY - APRIL 15: Kim Min-Jae of SSC Napoli in action during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Hellas Verona at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, on April 15, 2023 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Nicola Ianuale ATPImages/Getty Images)
NAPLES, ITALY - APRIL 15: Kim Min-Jae of SSC Napoli in action during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Hellas Verona at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, on April 15, 2023 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Nicola Ianuale ATPImages/Getty Images)

Fabian Schar’s time in a Newcastle United kit may be coming to a close sooner than people may have thought.

Recent rumors that have circulated have the Magpies making a move to bring in Series-A Napoli center-back Kim Min-jae. With the team looking to make hefty moves in hopes of a Champions League run next season, Min-jae would be a perfect addition to the squad.

STADIO OLIMPICO GRANDE TORINO, TURIN, ITALY – 2023/03/19: Kim Min-jae (L) of SSC Napoli competes for the ball with Antonio Sanabria of Torino FC during the Serie A football match between Torino FC and SSC Napoli. SSC Napoli won 4-0 over Torino FC. (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images)
STADIO OLIMPICO GRANDE TORINO, TURIN, ITALY – 2023/03/19: Kim Min-jae (L) of SSC Napoli competes for the ball with Antonio Sanabria of Torino FC during the Serie A football match between Torino FC and SSC Napoli. SSC Napoli won 4-0 over Torino FC. (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Fabian Schar joined the team in the 2018 season and has been a staple for them defensively for the past five seasons.

Unfortunately, he has been struggling for quite some time now to remain relatively consistent in the Magpies’ starting lineup. Alongside the recent addition of Sven Botman, the team is in a position to succeed if they can find that extra piece to go alongside him.

That’s where Min-jae comes into the picture.

The 26-year-old joined Napoli just one year ago in July 2022, for a fee of just €18.05 million. While his worth then was fairly low, he instantly boosted his stock after winning Series A Player of the Month in just his second month with the club.

Now, his transfer fee sits around

His shifty, yet stable playstyle has been uncomfortable for opposing offenses to combat. One key takeaway from his defensive abilities is his strong ability to predict what plays and types of possessions are occurring.

Offensively, when called upon to help, he’s been comfortable starting and finishing plays for Napoli. Also, while standing at 6-foot-3, his height inside the box on corner kicks greatly helps.

Through 33 Series A contests, he’s scored two goals and recorded one assist.

His efforts would greatly help the Magpies, especially in their race to become one of the top teams in the country.

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