Lee Kang-in (23), who has lost his position at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), is expected to heat up the summer transfer market. Major European clubs such as Manchester United, Napoli, and Inter Milan are closely monitoring his situation, and PSG is not ruling out Lee's transfer.
Foot 01 reported on the 29th (Korean time) that "Lee may leave the team this summer" and noted that "currently remaining a rotation member, he is not satisfied with this role. Manchester United is considering signing Lee, and he could be targeted as a replacement if Bruno Fernandes leaves." PSG is reportedly seeking at least 30 million euros (46.8 billion won) for Lee's transfer fee.
Lee's situation completely changed with the winter transfer market. PSG restructured its attack by bringing in Khvicha Kvaratskhelia from Napoli, and the attacking lineup quickly solidified with the additions of Ousmane Dembélé and Marco Verratti. In particular, Dembélé has been performing at a Ballon d'Or level since 2025, maintaining the absolute trust of coach Enrique.
Naturally, Lee's position shifted to the midfield, but this was also not easy. Fabian Ruiz, João Neves, and Vitinha have already firmly established themselves in the midfield. In addition, Désiré Doué has shown growth in every match, positioning himself as the first choice for a substitution if the coach needs to change players. Lee's playing time gradually decreased, and recently he has repeatedly remained on the bench.
In fact, Lee hinted at the possibility of a transfer by removing PSG from his social media profile, and many media outlets are considering his summer transfer as a foregone conclusion.
Interest surrounding Lee is explosive. The Sun reported that Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta is attracted to Lee's technical abilities and is monitoring his potential transfer. Additionally, Andrea Berta, who was once the technical director at Atlético Madrid, is said to have shown interest in Lee's transfer, with this influence still continuing.
L'Équipe reported that Lee has been placed on PSG's release list. This report suggests that PSG is preparing for a major squad overhaul ahead of the upcoming season and considers Lee to be one of the targets.
Particularly, there is intense interest from Italian clubs. Area Napoli reported that "Napoli sees Lee as a key target for the summer 2024 transfer market. Apart from signing Kevin De Bruyne, they are considering Lee as an additional option to strengthen the midfield."
Corriere dello Sport reported that Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis has personally shown interest in Lee, and Inter Milan is also keeping Lee's name on their list of candidates to strengthen the midfield.
Meanwhile, PSG has achieved a double this season by winning Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France. If they defeat Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final scheduled for the 1st of next month, a treble will be possible. Although Lee's playing time is limited, he is included in the roster for this tournament and has the chance to be recorded as the first treble winner in the history of Korean football.
At this point, Lee is already contemplating his "next step." He seems to be looking for a team that can secure consistent playing time and allow him to showcase his abilities in a new tactical environment, and PSG appears to be preparing for transfer negotiations by setting a high transfer fee.
At this moment, Manchester United's situation is another variable. The club's ace, Bruno Fernandes, is embroiled in transfer rumors to Saudi Arabia. Daily Mail reported on the 30th that "Al-Hilal has offered a transfer fee of 100 million pounds (185.1 billion won) for Fernandes and has recently made contact with his agent to begin negotiations."
Manchester United is suffering from financial burdens, and a huge offer is an irresistible temptation. If Fernandes leaves, Manchester United must quickly find his replacement, and Lee could emerge as a "realistic option." Lee, with his technical skills and creativity, is also being evaluated as a player who could be utilized as a new central resource.
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