Lee Kang-in (24, Paris Saint-Germain) is receiving interest from Arsenal, and the possibility of him wearing an SSC Napoli jersey alongside Kevin De Bruyne (34, Manchester City) has been raised.

Major European clubs are awakening to Lee, whose standing at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is faltering. According to a report from 'ESPN' on the 9th (Korean time), citing 'The Sun' in the UK, Arsenal is showing interest in Lee, with a transfer fee estimated at around €20 million (approximately 31.6 billion won).

Notably, Andrea Bert, Arsenal's new Director General, has a history of pursuing Lee since his time at Atlético Madrid in 2023, suggesting that the interest may be more than mere consolidation.

The gaze toward Lee is not just a story from the UK. On the same day, Italian media 'Napolipiu' reported that "SSC Napoli has intensified contact for the acquisition of Kevin De Bruyne," and noted, "Lee is also included in the list for strengthening wing resources."

Napoli's plans for strengthening the team are not limited to one star. Giovanni Mann, the Director General, has personally traveled to Manchester to contact De Bruyne's side, and potential candidates to bolster the attacking line include Liverpool's Darwin Núñez, Jonathan David whose contract with Lille is expiring, and Porto's Samu Omorodion.

Lee has made the list as a creative second-line resource. The media evaluated, "There have been ups and downs this season, but he remains a potential resource with creativity."

Lee's standing at PSG has indeed diminished sharply. He recorded 6 goals and 6 assists at the beginning of the season, but he has remained on the bench for the recent four matches since the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals, and has been excluded from the squad for both legs of the semi-finals. Most appearances in league matches have also been as a substitute in the second half. There are analyses suggesting he may have fallen out of manager Luis Enrique's plans.

Moreover, Lee recently deleted the 'PSG' phrase from his Instagram account and has not posted any club-related content for about two months, adding weight to the speculation of a transfer. Of course, the deletion of other introduction items, such as 'Republic of Korea,' makes it difficult to draw definitive conclusions, but it is hard to deny signs of change.

On the other hand, Napoli is preparing for significant acquisitions that combine skill and experience, aiming to return to the UEFA Champions League next season. Especially with the appointment of coach Antonio Conte, the club is accelerating its restructuring. In De Bruyne's case, he has already formalized his departure from Manchester City after the end of the season, and as he hopes to remain in Europe, a large signing without a transfer fee aligns with Napoli's ambitions. Napoli is said to have proposed conditions including a two-year contract and signing bonuses.

There are also indications that De Bruyne is considering Napoli positively. His partner, Michelle Lacroix, was recently spotted exploring local real estate in Naples, which was interpreted as a signal that the negotiations have entered a concrete stage. Napoli is also a city that the De Bruyne couple frequently visited due to past connections with Dries Mertens.

Interestingly, both De Bruyne and Lee are being considered as part of Napoli's new project. Coincidentally, De Bruyne has already declared his separation from Manchester City, while Lee currently faces uncertainty in his team. Scenarios have been raised where the veteran wanting a 'final European stage' and the young talent needing a 'stage for resurgence' could align in one team.

If Lee were to don the Napoli jersey, he would gain the opportunity to play alongside the world-class midfielder De Bruyne, while also potentially reconstructing his tactical role under coach Antonio Conte. However, the interest from English clubs, including Arsenal, cannot be overlooked, making his final choice one of the major variables in this summer's European transfer market.

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