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| 사진=PSG SNS 캡처 |
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| ReutersYonhap News |
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| AP연합뉴스 |
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The all-time proposal for Lee Kang-in has arrived. However, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) did not intend to transfer Lee Kang-in.
The problem is that interest is not one thing. Along with the English Premier League (EPL), Serie A Napoli continue to send signals of interest.
France's Foot Mercato reported on the 16th (Korea time) 'EPL club offered 70 million euros (about 100 billion won) for Lee Kang-in.'"
Lee Kang-in gathered high expectations by joining PSG ahead of the 2023-2024 season. At that time, it was the world's top team, including Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, so fans were paying attention to how good Lee Kang-in would be.
During the first season of PSG, Lee Kang-in played in 36 games and performed well with five goals and five assists, even though it was not easy to adapt to the team due to busy schedules such as the Asian Games and the Asian Cup. In particular, he started in the Trope de Champion (Super Cup) match between PSG and Toulouse and was named the man of the match, earning the nickname 'the new prince of PSG'.
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| AP연합뉴스 |
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Lee Kang-in's performance immediately sparked interest from other clubs. News emerged that Lee Kang-in's all-time transfer fee offer arrived immediately in the transfer market this summer.
Foot Mercato says 'PSG has received significant offers for Lee Kang-in. A huge offer has arrived for PSG, which wants to earn transfer fees to replace Mbappe. According to the information, an anonymous EPL club offered 70 million euros to recruit Lee Kang-in. Lee Kang-in, who transferred for 22 million euros (about 33 billion won) last summer, said he is under contract with PSG until 2028.
Then 'PSG wants to protect Lee Kang-in. He has already rejected the EPL club's offer and wants to keep Lee Kang-in. Lee Kang-in is also very good at PSG, and he doesn't want to leave PSG for the time being. Therefore, Lee Kang-in explained that he will remain at PSG in the 2024-2025 season.
If PSG accepted the offer for Lee Kang-in, it could have been a case of transferring for an all-time transfer fee as a Korean player. The highest transfer fee ever among Korean players was recorded by Kim Min-jae, who moved from Naples to Bayern Munich with a transfer fee of 50 million euros (about 75 billion won).
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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However, it is difficult for PSG to give up Lee Kang-in immediately despite the enormous proposal. In some French media, 'PSG is preparing for Mbappe's transfer. It's a big loss for sports, and it can be a big loss for financially. PSG will bet on Lee Kang-in and Xavi Simmons. Some even predicted that PSG could leave Mbappe's position to Lee Kang-in.
In addition, it is difficult to give up the enormous commercial benefits that Lee Kang-in brings. Lee Kang-in said from some media, "'Lee Kang-in is not only an important player for Luis Enrique, but he has grown considerably. He partially filled the departures of Lionel Messi and Neymar. Lee Kang-in is currently the player who has sold the most uniforms in offline stores after Mbappe, and has surpassed Mbappe on online platforms, reportedly gaining power and full popularity.
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| ReutersYonhap News |
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| ReutersYonhap News |
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Lee Kang-in's transfer is not the first EPL offer. There is also Naples, which is constantly interested. It started with Kylian Mbappe's move to Real Madrid. Since Mbappe notified PSG of the transfer, the club has continued to strengthen its players, and news has been reported that Lee Kang-in can be used as a trade card in the process.
In April, Italian media reported that `PSG has already offered Osimhen the contract period and salary, and Napoli can consider Carlos Soler, Marco Asensio, Lee Kang-in, and Lucas Veraldu to reduce transfer fees during Osimhen's recruitment process.' In particular, Napoli is known to be interested in Lee Kang-in.
Italian leading journalist Gianluca DiMarzio said on the 16th that Victor Osimhen's agent was in Paris. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) want to bring Osimhen, including the player. The names currently being discussed are Carlos Soler, Nordi Mukiele, and Lee Kang-in, he said, adding that Napoli is interested in Lee Kang-in.
Following Napoli, EPL clubs' interest has emerged, leading to a heated courtship against Lee Kang-in. PSG is in a position to protect Lee Kang-in until the next season, but it is expected that a lot of attention will be paid to Lee Kang-in's future course depending on the proposal.
digh1229@sportschosun.com
