Lee Kang-in is not expected to leave Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) this summer. Meanwhile, it is expected that Lee Kang-in will be pushed out of the main competition.
On the 23rd (Korea time), the soccer statistics media “Transfermarkt” released PSG’s best 11 next season, including the transfer rumor, on its official SNS.
The formation was 4-3-3, with Jadon Sancho, Victor Osimhen, Usman Dembele, Vitinya, João Neves, Warren Zaire-Emery, Nunu Mendes, Lucas Veraldu, Marquiños, Ashraf Hakimi and Gianluigi Donnarumma listed. Lee Kang-in was ruled out.
PSG let go of Kylian Mbappe this summer. They are preparing for changes while doing so. They are showing interest in Sancho and Osimen in offense. Osimen was linked with PSG last summer as well. PSG needed a striker and approached Osimen, who showed good performance in Napoli. However, the decision fell through as Napoli set a high transfer fee for Osimen.
Osimhen was rumored to be transferred to PSG again this summer. There was news that PSG would use Lee Kang-in as a trading card to bring Osimhen, but it was not true. European soccer transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano said on his SNS, “The negotiations between PSG and Napoli for Osimhen have not progressed since the recent talks.”
“PSG has refused to include Lee Kang-in in the deal and will not trigger the release clause as Napoli wants. It is unlikely that the deal will be made under these conditions,” he added.
PSG is considering recruiting Sancho. Sancho left for Dortmund on loan due to ill-advised relations with coach Erik ten Hag last season. He still displayed impressive performance at Dortmund. Notably, he met PSG at the UEFA Champions League.
PSG intends to strengthen its side by recruiting Sancho with Mbappe gone. French media ‘Foot Mercato’ reported on the 22nd (Korea time) that “According to the latest information, PSG has also entered the competition to recruit Sancho. What’s better is that PSG is close to reaching a personal agreement with Sancho.”
There is a possibility that the midfielder will change as well. During the last season, PSG produced a stable midfielder by combining Vitinha, Fabian Lewis, and Zaire-Emery. Lewis also showed good performance at Euro 2024. However, “Transfermarkt” predicted that Neves, a “supernova born in 2004, will defeat Lewis if he joins PSG. 룸알바
Lee Kang-in is in a difficult situation. Lee Kang-in wore PSG’s uniform last season. In the early days of the transfer, there were also concerns about the competition to become a starting player. He showed competitiveness in La Liga in the previous season, but had never experienced competition to become a starting player in a big club.
However, contrary to expectations, Lee Kang-in had a quick opportunity. Lee Kang-in started in the opening game and was well received. Since then, Lee Kang-in has continued to play. Coach Luis Enrique praised Lee Kang-in’s multitude. Lee Kang-in played in various positions, going back and forth between left and right wingers and midfielders. Nevertheless, Lee Kang-in played his role in every game.
Starting at the Asian Cup, Lee lost ground in the competition to become a starting member. During the Asian Cup, Enrique found the optimal lineup, and Lee spent more time sitting on the bench after his return. Despite this, Lee was involved in scoring a lot of goals in a small amount of time, and he now has five goals and five assists in all competitions. He achieved double-digit offensive points in his first season at PSG. In addition, he won the Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and Trope de Champion, adding three more trophies.
Meanwhile, Lee Kang-in has also received attention from Premier League teams besides Napoli. However, Lee is expected to remain with PSG. French media Sport said, “Unless something unexpected happens, Lee will continue to play for PSG this season,” while Lee returned to PSG after the vacation.
