Italy's Corriere dello Sport reported on the 17th (Korean time) that 'the acquisition work for Lee Kang-in, which Napoli was pursuing, has come to a standstill,' noting that 'the sudden change in the status of the club's key midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa' is the reason.
Anguissa was initially expected to transfer to Saudi Arabia, and Napoli had plans to bring Lee Kang-in in based on that transfer funding. However, Anguissa's sudden decision to remain with Napoli has disrupted that entire strategy. If Anguissa stays, it will be difficult to secure the funding necessary for acquiring Lee Kang-in.
Just a few days ago, Lee Kang-in's move to Napoli seemed nearly confirmed. Multiple Italian media outlets reported that negotiations between Lee Kang-in's agent and Napoli were already completed and that only the transfer fee with Paris Saint-Germain needed to be arranged. However, due to unexpected internal changes, Napoli has temporarily suspended contact with Lee Kang-in.
TuttoNapoli and Napoli Calcio News also reported that 'the likelihood of Anguissa remaining has increased, and as a result, the acquisition of Lee Kang-in has been put on hold.'
Sport France reported on the 18th that 'PSG may utilize Lee Kang-in as a trade card while pursuing the acquisition of 18-year-old Portuguese prodigy Rodrigo Mora,' adding further shock.
Mora is a multifaceted talent who has been shining at Porto and has recently been called up to the Portuguese national team. He is set to participate in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and is garnering attention across Europe.
According to reports, PSG's Director General Luis Campos has shown significant interest in Mora's potential and is reportedly considering a player-cash mixed transaction that includes Lee Kang-in in order to facilitate this expensive acquisition.
Mora is contracted with Porto until 2030 and has a market value of 40.3 million euros (63.5 billion won). PSG is exploring the option of including Carlos Soler, Marco Asensio, and Lee Kang-in in a package deal based on a maximum of 50 million euros (78.8 billion won).
This starkly illustrates that Lee Kang-in's status within PSG has significantly changed since the beginning of the season. He initially gained trust and opportunities from coach Luis Enrique early this season, but as the season progressed, he lost playing time to players like Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembélé.
Therefore, Lee Kang-in has few options remaining. Staying at PSG essentially means a spot on the bench, and missing out on playing opportunities at a crucial growth stage could be a significant loss. At this point, with the move to Napoli blocked, it is critical to actively broaden negotiations with clubs from other leagues.
따라서 이강인에게 남은 선택지는 많지 않다. PSG 잔류는 사실상 벤치 자리를 의미하며 한창 성장해야 할 시점에 출전 기회를 놓치는 건 치명적인 손실이 될 수 있다. 나폴리행이 막힌 현 시점에서 다른 리그 구단들과의 협상 창구를 적극적으로 넓혀야 할 시점이다.
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