PSG sets €40 million transfer fee for Lee Kang-in amid Napoli interest

The transfer rumors surrounding Lee Kang-in (24) of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) are continuing to unfold.

French media Foot01 reported on the 5th (Korea time), "Having received almost no opportunities in important matches this season, Lee has ultimately lost his patience. He wants to leave PSG this summer. Napoli is showing interest. PSG has no intention of keeping Lee, but the high transfer fee makes it difficult for him to move easily."

Lee Kang-in's transfer rumors have been consistently raised throughout the season. Having lost opportunities at PSG, there is a growing call for him to seek a new challenge. Napoli is considered a strong candidate for his destination. Since Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich) led the league championship while playing for Napoli in the 2022-2023 season, the club has shown consistent interest in Lee. It was also the team that sought to include Lee when pushing for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's transfer to PSG in the past.

PSG reportedly set Lee's transfer fee at €40 million (approximately 61.2 billion won). When he was acquired from Mallorca two years ago, the transfer fee was €22 million (approximately 34.2 billion won).

Lee's market value has nearly doubled. Considering that Napoli's highest investment in player acquisitions for the 2024-2025 season was €35 million (approximately 54.3 billion won), PSG's demands are burdensome for Napoli.

Lee continued to compete for a starting position until the early part of the 2024-2025 season but fell to the bench from the second half. By the end of the season, he was virtually classified as outside the team's plans.

The last match he played was the away game against Montpellier, which followed the confirmation of the Ligue 1 title. After that, he remained on the bench for the final match of Ligue 1, the Coupe de France final, and the UEFA Champions League (UCL) final.

Louis Enrique, the PSG manager, has used Lee in various positions such as winger, central midfielder, and false nine, but he has not solidified his status as a starter.

As there are three years remaining on his contract with PSG, the club has no urgent reason to sell. This means PSG cannot be actively interested in lowering the transfer fee.

Ultimately, Lee's new challenge depends on whether a team capable of shouldering PSG's proposed transfer fee emerges.

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