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| South Korean center-half Kim Min-jae celebrates after scoring a header against China during the 2019 East Asian Cup game at the Busan Asiad Stadium, Dec. 15, 2019. / Yonhap |
By Jhoo Dong-chan
It has been a promising week for young South Korean football stars.
RB Leipzig announced last week that the team has signed South Korean international Hwang Hee-chan from its Austrian sister club RB Salzburg. The transfer fee is estimated at around 14 million euros ($15.9 million).
Following Hwang's transfer, a number of media outlets reported Wednesday that the English Premier League's Tottenham Hotspur is in talks with the Chinese Super League's Beijing Sinobo Guoan FC to acquire South Korean international Kim Min-jae.
"Their negotiations have been almost concluded. As far as I know, they are talking about the transfer fee at the moment," football analyst Han Joon said.
"The gap isn't really big. It is manageable. Beijing wants about 17 million euros while Tottenham wants it to be under 12 million euros. Kim's agent said talks are friendly and both sides are likely to make a deal soon."
The start of the Chinese Super League this year was postponed to July 25 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For that reason, Kim's possible transfer to the London club is likely to take place within a week.
Most experts said Kim will be a great boost to Tottenham's defense line, which has experienced difficulties throughout the season. The team has so far conceded 46 goals in its 35 Premier League matches. Ranked seventh, it has recorded only seven clean sheets this season.
"Kim is an exceptional defender," football agent Kim Dong-wan said.
"He is big at 190 centimeters and weighs 86 kilograms. Despite his size, he is really fast. It's a rare trait only top-notch center-backs like Virgil van Dijk have. He can dribble and pass a long ball very accurately. Kim can also be a very valuable asset in set pieces."
Tottenham announced its earlier decision not to offer an extension to Belgian international Jan Vertonghen after the season.
The veteran center-half, sometimes playing as left fullback, was an important asset for the London club's Champions League campaign to the final last year, but has shown his age this season.
"Everyone knows Tottenham has a weak link in its defense line," said Park Jong-yoon, LeeStar TV operator and K League caster.
"Vertonghen will soon leave the team. Davinson Sanchez is experiencing difficulties in showing consistency. Toby Alderweireld shows a good long ball ability, but is also getting old. Juan Foyth and Japhet Tanganga are just too young. I believe Eric Dier is the only defender satisfying the role given to him by Jose Mourinho. I believe this is a chance for Kim if he joins the team."
Hurdle
Despite his proven quality, Park said it will be difficult for Kim to get playing time as soon as he joins the club.
"It's hard to think he can become the first option right away for the team's defensive line," he said.
"Kim is likely to be the third or fourth option at first after Dier, Sanchez and Alderweireld in the line. It's important for defenders to communicate with other players. Kim first needs to learn English."
Park claims, however, Kim will lead the team's defense line eventually, once he fully adapts to his new environment in London and the Premier League's fast tempo.
"Kim would play together with Son Heung-min who is willing to help Kim's smooth landing in the Premier League. His quality as a player is unquestionable. He only needs some time to get used to new things. Once this is done, he will be a great boost for the team."
