Lee Kang-in (23), who has struggled to regain his foothold at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), is emerging as a focal point in this summer's transfer market. With his time on the bench increasing due to competition within the team, it has been confirmed that Manchester United, Napoli, and Inter Milan are closely monitoring Lee's future situation.
Foot01 reported on the 29th (KST) that "Lee could leave PSG this summer," noting that "he is currently evaluated as a rotation resource and is not satisfied with this role. Manchester United is considering Lee as a potential replacement in anticipation of Bruno Fernandes' possible transfer." PSG is said to have set a transfer fee of at least €30 million (approximately 46.8 billion won) for him.
Lee Kang-in left Mallorca to join PSG last summer with high expectations. Early in the season, he showcased his talents in various positions, even taking on the false nine role under the experimental tactics of coach Luis Enrique, but the competitive landscape within the team changed dramatically after winter. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who transferred from Napoli, took the lead in the attack, and with Ousmane Dembélé and Marco Barcola also making significant contributions in the front, Lee's opportunities diminished rapidly.
In particular, Dembélé has maintained explosive form since 2025, firmly establishing himself as a starter and gaining the full trust of coach Enrique. Naturally, Lee attempted to shift positions to midfield, but there, Fabian Ruiz, Joao Neves, and Vitinha had already solidified their roles, while rising star Desire Doue surpassed Lee in the competition for the starting position.
Ultimately, Lee's playing opportunities have dwindled, and he has recently been excluded from the matchday squad multiple times. Feeling dissatisfaction, Lee indirectly revealed his transfer possibilities by deleting "PSG" from his social media profile. Subsequently, numerous European media outlets reported that Lee's transfer is a foregone conclusion.
L'Équipe reported that Lee has been included in PSG's list of players to be offloaded. This suggests that PSG is embarking on a major squad overhaul ahead of next season and has classified Lee as part of that process.
Interest in Lee is rapidly growing. The Sun reported that Arsenal's Mikel Arteta has been deeply impressed by Lee's playmaking abilities and is keeping an eye on his situation. Andrea Berta, former technical director of Atlético Madrid, who has previously sought to acquire Lee, is also said to still be interested in his potential.
Italy is also paying attention to Lee. Areanapoli reported that Napoli views Lee as a key target in the 2024 summer transfer market and is considering him as an additional option for midfield reinforcement, separate from the acquisition of Kevin De Bruyne. 'Corriere dello Sport' mentioned that Aurelio De Laurentiis, president of Napoli, has personally shown interest in Lee, and Inter Milan has also placed his name on their acquisition list.
Meanwhile, PSG has achieved a domestic double by winning Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France, and will face Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final on the 1st of next month. If they win this match, PSG will complete their first treble, and Lee could become the first player in the history of Korean football to experience a treble. However, regardless of playing record, the prevailing analysis is that his time at PSG is already coming to an end.
Another factor fueling transfer rumors is the situation at Manchester United. Core player Bruno Fernandes is receiving offers from Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal, and the Daily Mail reported that "Al Hilal is preparing a transfer fee of £100 million (approximately 185.1 billion won) to bring him in, and recent negotiations with his agent have taken place."
Given the serious financial pressures Manchester United is experiencing, the dominant view is that it would be difficult for them to reject this offer. If Fernandes leaves the team, Manchester United will need to rapidly find a replacement for the attacking midfielder position, and Lee is emerging as a realistic acquisition option. Evaluations suggest that Lee, with his skills and creativity, could be successful in the Premier League.
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