Could Conte become Napoli's new spearhead.

Local Italian media 'Napoli Piu' reported on the 9th (Korean time) that Napoli is "looking to strengthen its squad with creative midfielders like Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) or Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain)." On the same day, 'Corriere dello Sport' also reported, "Napoli wants Lee Kang-in. As a left-footed midfielder capable of playing centrally and on the wings, as well as in an attacking midfield role, he is suitable for Napoli's tactics."

Napoli, having recently secured the championship with Kim Min-jae leading the charge, is once again aiming for the league title. At the center of this effort was manager Antonio Conte. Despite the sale of Victor Osimhen and the transfer of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Manager Conte has been leading a remarkable turnaround in the second half.

In this context, a significant investment in transfer fees is anticipated during the summer transfer market. Some even speculate that discussions about a return to Napoli for Kim Min-jae, a key player from the last championship, are already underway. With major investments in Napoli under the Conte regime being hinted at, several players' names have been mentioned.

In this process, Lee Kang-in's name has surfaced. 'Napoli Calcio' speculated that "Manager Antonio Conte is paying attention to Lee Kang-in's skills," noting that while his main position is as an attacking midfielder, he can also play as a second striker and right winger, which adds value to Napoli's interest in adding him to their list.

'Transfermarkt,' a German transfer market specialist site, estimates Lee Kang-in's market value at €30 million (approximately 47.1 billion won), while PSG is demanding at least €40 million (approximately 62.9 billion won). In contrast, Napoli is reportedly hoping for a transfer fee below €25 million (approximately 39.3 billion won). There are forecasts that negotiations could face challenges due to the disparity in transfer fees.

Lee Kang-in was also linked with Napoli last summer. At that time, PSG sought to acquire Napoli striker Victor Osimhen and proposed some players, including Lee Kang-in, as part of a swap, but negotiations fell through when Napoli rejected the offer. The atmosphere suggests that Napoli still maintains an interest in Lee Kang-in. Following the appointment of Manager Conte, they are looking to bolster their squad with creative midfielders, and Lee Kang-in has been reincluded on their list.

Interest from the English Premier League's Arsenal in Lee Kang-in continues. 'ESPN' reported on the 9th, citing a report from the British 'The Sun,' stating, "Arsenal is once again showing interest in Lee Kang-in." Earlier, Spain's 'Estadio Deportivo' reported, "Manager Mikel Arteta wants Lee Kang-in. An official proposal has already been sent to PSG. The acquisition could be just a matter of time."

Arsenal's new director, Andrea Bert, has been interested in Lee Kang-in since his tenure at Atletico Madrid, but this interest faltered while Lee joined PSG. Bert appears to still have a high regard for Lee's potential. Recently, Lee Kang-in's social media activity has spurred transfer rumors, as he deleted the phrase 'PSG' from his Instagram profile.

Additionally, having not posted anything related to PSG for nearly two months, some fans interpret this as a signal of an impending transfer. Another background to the transfer rumors is Lee Kang-in's waning status within the team. He remained on the bench during four consecutive matches from the quarterfinal first leg to the semifinal second leg of the UEFA Champions League. In the league, he has frequently appeared as a substitute and seems to be falling behind in the competition for a starting position.

French media reports indicate that Lee Kang-in has been excluded from manager Luis Enrique's tactical plans. After key players like Kylian Mbappé departed, Enrique has emphasized competition among resources in the second line. Lee made a strong impression early in the season with six goals and six assists in the league, but his status has sharply declined following an injury.

It remains to be seen whether Napoli, a prestigious club looking for a revival under Conte's regime, can indeed acquire the talent of Lee Kang-in through substantial investment.

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