Lee Kang-in (23), whose position has diminished at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), is increasingly likely to head to the Premier League. This time, Manchester United is reported to be making an active pursuit, while several Premier League clubs are also keeping a close eye on his situation.
GiveMeSport reported on the 28th (Korea time) that "Manchester United has embarked on strengthening its squad for a return to European competitions next season after this season's struggles and is preparing to acquire Lee Kang-in as part of that effort."
Lee Kang-in has appeared in 30 official matches for PSG this season, scoring 3 goals and providing 9 assists. However, he started in only 19 matches, and as the season progressed, he was often not included on the substitute list. GiveMeSport noted that "Lee Kang-in has not solidified his position under coach Luis Enrique, and recent contract negotiations have also fallen through," predicting a high possibility of his transfer in the future.
Manchester United, which is likely to appoint manager Ruben Amorim, is seeking to reinforce its creative midfield options. GiveMeSport stated that "Manchester United is already in advanced negotiations with Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton, but internal assessments indicate that more creativity and tactical flexibility are needed," adding that "Lee Kang-in is a versatile asset who can play in both central and wide positions, and coach Amorim highly values his technical skills and tactical adaptability."
Lee Kang-in's stance is also positive toward a match with Manchester United. GiveMeSport added that "Lee Kang-in prioritizes consistent playing time over the team's reputation," noting that he could seize the opportunity to showcase his abilities at Manchester United, which is aiming for a return to European competitions.
At the beginning of this season, Lee Kang-in earned the trust of coach Enrique with his versatile usage, playing various roles such as a false 9, central midfielder, and wide playmaker. However, after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia joined the team during the winter transfer window, the attacking unit was reshuffled, naturally decreasing Lee Kang-in's playing time. Recently, he has even lost his position as the first substitute, resulting in more days spent on the bench.
Sport reported that PSG aims to reduce its squad size this summer and plans to sell several players, including Lee Kang-in. Alongside Lee Kang-in, names like Skriniar, Randal Kolo Muani, and Marco Asensio are on the release list, and PSG is looking to recover over 100 million euros (155.9 billion won) through this.
Following the UEFA Champions League final scheduled for the 1st of next month, the transfer process for Lee Kang-in is expected to intensify. After the final against Inter Milan concludes, PSG is anticipated to embark on a significant squad reshuffle, and Lee Kang-in is also expected to focus on finding a new team.
Meanwhile, this is not the first mention of Lee Kang-in's potential move to Manchester United. In March, it became known that Lee Kang-in's agent, Javier Garrido, visited the UK and contacted clubs, giving momentum to transfer rumors. At that time, the possibility of negotiations for a Premier League move was raised, and in fact, several clubs displayed interest in acquiring Lee Kang-in.
Cutoffside reported that "Lee Kang-in is being watched not only by Manchester United but also by various Premier League teams, including Arsenal, Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, and Crystal Palace." In the fast-paced and physically demanding environment typical of the Premier League, Lee Kang-in's technical skills and ability to create space are still regarded as valuable assets.
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