Lee Kang-in's position at Paris Saint-Germain is progressively narrowing. With Lee Kang-in failing to gain playing opportunities even towards the end of the season, the possibility of him leaving Paris is becoming increasingly concrete. Top-tier Premier League teams are already monitoring his situation and making attempts to sign him.

Foot01 reported on the 7th (Korean time) that "if Lee Kang-in's position within PSG does not improve, a transfer after the season seems inevitable," and that "Arsenal has actively sought to sign him." This is beyond mere interest. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) also introduced related reports, lending weight to the rumors of Lee Kang-in's transfer.

Indeed, Lee Kang-in drew attention from fans by recently deleting PSG-related information from his social media profile. The scene felt like a reflection of Lee Kang-in's intent for fans who are unaware of the internal situation at PSG. Under coach Luis Enrique, Lee Kang-in has been excluded from the UEFA Champions League roster, distancing himself from core plans, and his playing time in Ligue 1 has significantly decreased.

L'Équipe stated, "PSG is seriously considering parting ways with Lee Kang-in, with Arsenal emerging as a strong candidate for his next destination." Live Foot also reported that "PSG is not satisfied with Lee Kang-in's utilization and has begun the process of securing an alternative resource."

Lee Kang-in joined Paris Saint-Germain last summer for €22 million (34.7 billion won). He was highly anticipated as a key resource for targeting the Asian market immediately after Lionel Messi and Neymar left, but he has not exerted the expected influence. The unclear positioning and the heavy defensive responsibilities in his deployment are prevailing evaluations that have masked his strengths.

Interest from Premier League teams has been consistent for some time. In March, Spain's Relevo reported that "Lee Kang-in's agent, Javier Garrido, has been in contact with Manchester United, Aston Villa, and Everton." Garrido is known for managing promising talents across La Liga and the Premier League, playing an important consolidation role in Lee Kang-in's transfer efforts within Europe.

Arsenal's interest in Lee Kang-in stems from the long observation by manager Mikel Arteta and director Edu. The Sun reported that "Edu has shown deep interest in Lee Kang-in since his time at Atlético Madrid," adding that "Arteta also evaluates Lee Kang-in as a flexible and creative resource."

The Athletic added, "While the transfer fee PSG will propose is on the higher side, negotiations are possible if it involves a loan with an option for a full transfer."

The atmosphere in France is not entirely negative. Some local media have reported that PSG is also keeping the possibility of retaining Lee Kang-in open. Le10Sport reported that "PSG is still keeping the possibility of a contract renewal with Lee Kang-in open and hopes to include him in their medium- to long-term project for the next season."

However, the stubborn deployment strategy of coach Luis Enrique is a variable. In a recent interview, he acknowledged, "I know that Lee Kang-in is not suited to playing as a defensive midfielder," yet stated, "Players cannot always play in their desired position. Position changes help with long-term growth."

However, attempts to position Lee Kang-in, who has a distinct offensive inclination, deep in midfield are causing ongoing controversies among fans and experts.

Until the middle of this season, Lee Kang-in left several impressive moments in cup competitions and league matches. However, he failed to establish a solid position under coach Enrique. Towards the end of the season, he frequently found himself unable to even remain on the bench, and among fans, the response has increasingly leaned towards "a transfer is the solution."

Now, only PSG's decision and Lee Kang-in's determination remain. If a parting with PSG materializes this summer, competition among big Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, is expected to intensify. With the full-scale transfer market set to open after Euro 2024, Lee Kang-in's future will soon become clear.

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