Reports continue regarding Lee Kang-in's (24) departure from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Additionally, news has emerged that a Saudi Arabian club is pursuing his transfer by offering a large amount, raising great interest in the next destination for Lee Kang-in.

French media 'Foot01' reported on the 8th (Korean time) that "PSG has decided to release Lee Kang-in this summer. The likelihood of him leaving the team after the season is very high." Lee Kang-in transferred from Mallorca to PSG for €22 million (approximately 34.6 billion won) one and a half years ago, but he has not secured a definite starting position under manager Luis Enrique.

Lee Kang-in has had a decent performance this season, recording 6 goals and 5 assists, but his playing time has recently surged. Particularly, he has made only 3 starting appearances out of the last 10 official matches and remained on the substitute bench during an important game against Liverpool. In league matches, he played only about 15 minutes in matches against Olympique Lyon and Lille LOSC.

The media noted that "PSG is preparing squad changes while planning to recruit new players. Accordingly, players who do not receive sufficient playing opportunities are likely to become transfer targets," adding that "the atmosphere within PSG has already established Lee Kang-in's transfer as a given."

Meanwhile, a Saudi Arabian club is showing active efforts to recruit Lee Kang-in. 'Footnation' reported that "Saudi Arabia's Al Shabab strongly desires Lee Kang-in and plans to propose a transfer fee of €50 million (approximately 78 billion won)." This amount is more than double what PSG paid to acquire Lee Kang-in.

The Saudi league has invested significant funds in recent years by acquiring international stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Karim Benzema. If PSG sells Lee Kang-in for a high transfer fee, it could mean considerable profit for the club.

The Saudi league is still assessed to be less competitive compared to major European leagues. Therefore, whether Lee Kang-in chooses to head to the Middle East purely for financial benefits or continue his challenges on the European stage will be a crucial point.

As rumors of Lee Kang-in's release spread, reports have emerged that Premier League clubs are keeping a close eye on him. Clubs such as Arsenal, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Nottingham Forest are reportedly interested in Lee Kang-in. If he can secure a definite starting position, a move to the Premier League could be an attractive option for him.

Lee Kang-in's contract extends until June 2028, leaving four years remaining. His current salary is around €7 million (approximately 11 billion won), which is manageable for PSG but could be a difficult sum for relatively smaller European clubs.

It appears that PSG has already decided on his transfer, and Lee Kang-in is at a point where he must consider a move. For him, who wants to grow further in Europe, a transfer to Saudi Arabia is a choice that requires careful consideration. Conversely, transferring to a European club that can provide more playing opportunities than PSG could be a realistic alternative.

So far, there has been no official statement from Lee Kang-in, but just observing the local atmosphere in France, the likelihood of his departure from PSG is increasingly growing. Attention is drawn to where his career will head during this summer’s transfer market.

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