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SportsPSG demands 35M euros for Lee Kang-in; Atletico Madrid keen to sign
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South Korean footballer Lee Kang-in is the subject of a potential transfer from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to Atletico Madrid. According to Spanish media AS, all three parties are willing to reach an agreement. PSG, which signed Lee for 22 million euros in 2023, now wants at least 35 million euros. Atletico Madrid, having identified Lee as their top summer target to replace Antoine Griezmann, is hesitant on the price and prefers performance-related floating clauses. Atletico's sporting director Mateu Alemany, who knows Lee from their time at Valencia, has long pursued the player. Beyond sporting reasons, Atletico sees significant commercial value in signing Lee, particularly for their upcoming summer commercial tour in South Korea. Lee is currently playing in the World Cup with South Korea, and his performances could affect his market value and attract other clubs.
Source report
Hupu Football News | June 22 | Updated 2 minutes ago
South Korean star Lee Kang-in has once again been linked with a move to Atletico Madrid. According to AS, both Lee Kang-in and Atletico Madrid share a strong desire to "join forces," and his current club, Paris Saint-Germain, is open to the idea. Although formal contract negotiations have not yet begun, the three parties have been in private contact for an extended period, and the transfer intention is clear.
Contract and Valuation
- Lee Kang-in's contract with PSG runs until 2028.
- PSG signed him from Mallorca in 2023 for €22 million.
- Transfermarkt currently values him at around €28 million, but PSG hopes to receive at least €35 million in transfer fees.
Atletico's Hesitation and Strategy
The only point of hesitation for Atletico Madrid is the fee. The club wants to reduce the fixed transfer amount by adding performance-related floating clauses to the payment structure. However, Atletico has listed Lee Kang-in as their top priority for this summer.
Previously, Atletico attempted to sign Bernardo Silva, but he eventually joined Real Madrid, which further strengthened Atletico's resolve to secure Lee Kang-in.
Key Role of Sporting Director Alemany
Atletico's sporting director, Alemany, is very familiar with Lee Kang-in, having worked with him at Valencia. During the winter transfer window this year, Alemany strongly pushed for the deal. However, PSG—aiming to defend the Champions League title—refused to let go of any key players at that time. Lee Kang-in made 39 appearances last season, contributing 4 goals and 5 assists, and was a key contributor to PSG's title win. As a result, the winter deal fell through.
Atletico then settled for alternatives in the winter window, signing players such as Lookman, Mendoza, and Vargas. But Alemany never gave up on Lee Kang-in, believing he is the best candidate to replace Griezmann.
Dual Considerations: Competition and Commerce
Beyond the sporting aspect, signing Lee Kang-in also holds commercial value for Atletico Madrid. The club plans to travel to South Korea again this summer for a commercial tour. Although the tour was planned independently, if Lee Kang-in can wear Atletico's jersey and play in his home country, his immense commercial appeal and earning potential are self-evident.
Currently, Lee Kang-in is participating in the World Cup with the South Korean national team. South Korea has one win and one loss so far (2-1 win over Czech Republic, 0-1 loss to Mexico). Atletico hopes Lee Kang-in performs well, but they are also wary of him performing "too well." If he shines at the World Cup, his value could soar further, and more top clubs may compete for his signature, complicating an already clear transfer.
Source: AS
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Source
虎扑 - 足球Regional
Part of this Story
Atletico Madrid in Advanced Talks to Sign Lee Kang-in from PSG for €25-40M