It has been reported that Lee Kang-in, who has seen fewer opportunities at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), may ultimately part ways with the team.

As top Premier League clubs, including Arsenal and Manchester United, are seeking to acquire Lee Kang-in, the upcoming summer transfer market is beginning to stir.

Foot01 reported on the 7th (Korean time) that "Lee Kang-in is likely to leave PSG after the season if the current situation does not improve," and noted that "Arsenal is actively pursuing Lee Kang-in."

The Sun also reported that "Manager Mikel Arteta and Director Edu have been paying close attention to Lee Kang-in for a long time," adding that "Edu has shown deep interest in him since his time at Atletico Madrid." The report was also covered by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), adding weight to Lee's transfer rumors.

In particular, fan interest has surged as it was revealed that Lee Kang-in deleted PSG-related information from his social media profile. He has been excluded from the UEFA Champions League roster recently, showing signs of moving further away from Manager Luis Enrique's core plans.

L'Équipe reported that "PSG is seriously considering parting ways with Lee Kang-in, with Arsenal emerging as the most likely next destination." Furthermore, 'Live Foot' added that "PSG may let go of Lee Kang-in, who has not lived up to expectations, and is already in the process of looking for a replacement."

PSG brought in Lee Kang-in for €22 million (34.7 billion won) last year, hoping for great success. Under Manager Enrique's regime, he was seen not only as a key resource for performance but also for penetrating the Asian market; however, due to a lack of opportunities in the UEFA Champions League and unclear positional utilization, he has not been able to make the impact that was anticipated.

Interest from Premier League clubs has been steady for some time. Relevo reported in March that "Lee Kang-in's agent, Javier Garido, has been in contact with Manchester United, Aston Villa, and Everton." Garido represents various promising players, including Lee Kang-in, Abde from Real Betis, Javi Guerra from Valencia, and Peña from Barcelona.

However, some French media have presented a different outlook. Le10Sport reported that "PSG is working on renewing Lee Kang-in's contract and aims to establish a long-term plan centered around him before the 2024-2025 season."

Nonetheless, connections with Arsenal continue to persist.

The Athletic reported that "Lee Kang-in is one of the key players that Arsenal is monitoring, and although PSG's asking price is burdensome, negotiations could be possible if it involves a loan with a permanent transfer option."

'Metro' reported that "After Bukayo Saka's injury, Manager Arteta hopes to strengthen the offensive lineup and is considering Lee Kang-in as a substitute," mentioning specific reinforcement scenarios.

Meanwhile, within PSG, discussions regarding Lee Kang-in's position and utilization continue. Manager Luis Enrique recently stated in an interview that "I recognize that Lee Kang-in is not suited for a defensive midfielder role," but added that "not every player can only play in the position they prefer. New experiences can contribute to a player's mental growth."

He continued, stating, "Although it is not a position that Lee Kang-in prefers, it will be beneficial in the long run," while maintaining his philosophy on utilization. However, concerns from experts and fans regarding the approach of utilizing Lee as a versatile resource have not easily subsided.

Lee Kang-in's future prospects are expected to become clear as the summer transfer market opens. It will soon be decided whether his journey with PSG will end or if he will begin a new challenge in the English Premier League.

[OSEN]