SSC Napoli has started contact with Lee Kang-in (24, PSG).
Italy's 'Area Napoli' reported on the 28th (Korean time) that "SSC Napoli is once again turning its attention to Asian talent. They hope to replicate the media effect seen during the signing of Kim Min-jae, and this time they are focusing on Lee Kang-in, a Korean player from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)."
Lee Kang-in was born in 2001 and is a player capable of playing as both a right winger and an attacking midfielder. His contract is valid until 2028, but he is currently on a salary of 2 million euros (approximately 3.1 billion won), indicating that he seeks a higher compensation.
'Sport Mediaset' cited Area Napoli as stating that "Napoli's Director General Giovanni Manag has already begun contact with Lee Kang-in's side," adding that "this is a stage assessing the possibility of performing in Italy next season."
Previously, on the 25th, the Italian media 'Il Napolista' reported that Napoli is showing interest in winger Lee Kang-in from PSG, adding that PSG has set a transfer fee between 40 million to 50 million euros (approximately 62.1 billion to 77.7 billion won). Lee Kang-in has played 30 matches this season in Ligue 1, recording six goals and six assists, but due to less playing time than expected, he is reportedly contemplating a transfer.
It is understandable as he missed out on the UEFA Champions League knockout stage and the Coupe de France final held on the 25th. He appears to have fallen to a mere rotational player.
In this situation, Turkish transfer market expert Ekrem Konur noted that "AC Milan, Juventus, and Napoli are monitoring Lee Kang-in's situation," and that "Premier League and Bundesliga clubs are also interested in Lee Kang-in."
Another Italian media outlet, 'Napoli Calcio Live', reported that "Napoli's Director General Giovanni Manag is actively moving in the French league, and Lee Kang-in remains one of the players that the Napoli board is interested in." In particular, Aurelio De Laurentiis, the president, has positively assessed Lee Kang-in's signing from a brand value perspective.
Meanwhile, Napoli is preparing for a massive investment in the upcoming summer transfer market. With recent rumors about the signing of Kevin De Bruyne emerging, President De Laurentiis has expressed a strong determination to create a competitive team ahead of their return to the Champions League.
Lee Kang-in's name is emerging as part of that project.
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