Atlético Madrid have opened transfer talks with Paris Saint-Germain over South Korean international Lee Kang-In, sources have told ESPN. The reigning French and European champions have slapped a price tag of around €35 million on the 25-year-old attacking midfielder — and Diego Simeone’s side want him badly.
Lee Kang-In Transfer Talks: What We Know So Far
Lee Kang-In made the move to PSG from Mallorca for just under €20 million, and he has since picked up an impressive haul of silverware in the French capital — including back-to-back Champions League titles under Luis Enrique. Three seasons in Paris, two European crowns. Not a bad stint on paper. However, last season told a different story. Lee struggled to nail down a regular starting spot and failed to start a single game in Europe. That kind of treatment wears on a player, and sources confirm he is determined to return to Spain — a country where he spent the majority of his life, having previously represented Valencia before his time at Mallorca. He still has two years remaining on his PSG contract, but his mind appears made up.
PSG Eye Akliouche as Replacement — While Bernardo Silva Adds Spice
Should the two clubs reach an agreement, PSG have already identified a successor. Monaco and France attacking midfielder Maghnes Akliouche tops their shortlist as a potential replacement for Lee. Business, as ever, moves quickly at the Parc des Princes. Meanwhile, Atlético’s recruitment ambitions do not stop with Lee. Sources indicate the Madrid club are also pursuing Bernardo Silva, who became a free agent following his departure from Manchester City. Furthermore, the Portuguese international has attracted serious interest from elsewhere — José Mourinho’s Real Madrid are actively building their squad, and Barcelona are reportedly in the mix too. Lee, for his part, is currently focused on matters closer to his heart — he begins his World Cup campaign against Czechia on Thursday, representing South Korea on the biggest stage of all.