Lee Kang-in (24), who has lost his standing at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), could leave the team in the summer transfer window. The prestigious Italian club SSC Napoli is showing active interest, and Lee is also in a mood to accept a new challenge.

French newspaper 'L'Équipe' and Italian newspaper 'Corriere dello Sport' reported on the 2nd (Korean time) that "PSG has allowed Lee Kang-in and Gonçalo Ramos to leave this summer. Napoli is targeting Lee as a key target in the summer transfer market."

Lee Kang-in recorded 6 goals and 6 assists in 45 official matches while wearing the PSG uniform during the 2024-2025 season. Although the number of appearances was high, most of them were as a substitute. He started in only 4 matches in the UEFA Champions League and did not make the starting lineup even once in the higher stages of the tournament. He also remained on the bench during the final.

Under coach Luis Enrique, Lee was thoroughly utilized as a rotation resource. His skills and creativity were recognized, but he was not a core player in PSG's starting plans. Throughout the season, he played various positions, including right winger, central midfielder, and attacking midfielder, but he failed to establish a solid footing despite the positional changes. This was more due to the emergence of competing players than to Lee's issues.

Italian 'Corriere dello Sport' noted that "Napoli's Director General, Giovanni Manna, has been observing Lee for a long time," adding that "two attempts to sign him were made in the summer of 2024 and in January, but PSG classified Lee as 'not for sale' at that time. However, the situation has changed now. Lee wants sufficient playing time, and PSG is willing to let him go if an adequate transfer fee is presented."

According to reports, PSG has set the transfer fee for Lee Kang-in at around 40 million euros (approximately 62.9 billion won). However, considering the recent change in standing and the player's own will, there is an analysis that there is room for negotiation.

Napoli is undergoing a major squad rebuilding ahead of the appointment of coach Antonio Conte and has set Lee and Davide Frattesi (Inter Milan) as key targets. The belief is that they need a midfielder who possesses attacking development, ball carrying, and precise passing abilities. Internally, it has been evaluated that Lee is suitable as a player who can handle both 'intense pressing and attacking tempo' which are essential in Conte's tactics.

Lee spent a total of 2,397 minutes on the field last season, starting in 26 matches. Although it was the season PSG won the Champions League, Lee's contribution was limited. There has been a buildup of thirst for the roles of 'guaranteed starter' and 'central play resource' that every talented player dreams of, which increases the possibility of a transfer.

Napoli's courtship is by no means light. After winning the Scudetto, Napoli, which had to rebuild, is seeking a new midfielder composition under Conte's philosophy that "talented players must be at the center," and Lee is regarded as a player who possesses all three attributes of 'passing, creativity, and mobility.'

Of course, Lee Kang-in's transfer is not confirmed yet. His contract with PSG runs until 2028, and the club has no urgent reason to sell. However, with the player’s will, current standing, and Napoli's intentions aligning, the possibility of another European big league transfer happening this summer is gradually increasing.

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