The possibility of Lee Kang-in leaving the team has been suggested as he is losing opportunities to play at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
As Premier League clubs, including Arsenal and Manchester United, are being mentioned as his new destination, the summer transfer market is heating up.
Foot01 reported on the 7th (Korean time) that 'if the current situation does not change, Lee Kang-in plans to leave PSG after the season,' adding that 'Arsenal is already taking steps to bring Lee Kang-in.'
The Sun noted, 'Manager Mikel Arteta and director Edu have had an interest in Lee Kang-in for a long time. Edu has been keeping an eye on Lee Kang-in since his time at Atletico Madrid.' This report has been highlighted again through British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), fueling the rumors of Lee Kang-in's transfer.
Interestingly, the fact that Lee Kang-in himself deleted his PSG-related profile information from social media has further fueled speculation regarding his transfer. In fact, Lee Kang-in has recently been excluded from the roster for the UEFA Champions League matches, clearly distancing himself from the plans of manager Luis Enrique.
L'Equipe reported that 'PSG is seriously considering parting ways with Lee Kang-in, and Arsenal has emerged as a strong candidate for his transfer.'
Live Foot reported that 'PSG is likely to dispose of Lee Kang-in, who has not delivered the expected results, and is simultaneously looking for a replacement.'
PSG invested €22 million (347 billion won) to acquire Lee Kang-in. Under manager Luis Enrique, he was seen as a person with potential in various aspects, including Asian marketing. However, with multiple setbacks such as disappointing results and being deemed outside the plans for European competitions, Lee Kang-in's future is becoming increasingly unclear.
Interest from Premier League clubs has been ongoing. Relevo stated in March that 'Lee Kang-in's agent, Javier Garrido, met with several clubs in England, including Manchester United, Aston Villa, and Everton.' In the same report, Garrido mentioned that he manages several promising players, including Lee Kang-in, Abde of Real Betis, Javi Guerra of Valencia, and Peña of Barcelona.
However, there are conflicting claims. Le10sport reported that 'PSG is considering renewing Lee Kang-in's contract and aims to establish a long-term plan before the 2024-2025 season.'
In particular, the connection to Arsenal is repeatedly emphasized. The Athletic explained that 'Lee Kang-in is a player that Arsenal is showing active interest in. The transfer fee is a variable, but if it is a loan with an option to buy, there is a possibility.'
Metro added, 'After Saka's injury, manager Arteta is very interested in strengthening the attacking resources, and Lee Kang-in is one of the candidates.'
Meanwhile, within PSG, there are ongoing debates regarding how to utilize Lee Kang-in and his position. Manager Luis Enrique stated in a recent press conference, 'I know that Lee Kang-in is not suited to a defensive midfielder position. However, he cannot only play in his preferred position. Such experiences can be mentally beneficial,' which sparked controversy.
He continued, 'Although it may not be a position that Lee Kang-in prefers, it could be beneficial in the long run.' However, the approach of trying to utilize Lee Kang-in as a mere utility player is hard to avoid criticism.
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