Paris Saint-Germain is reportedly planning to block approaches from outside clubs in the upcoming summer transfer window by renegotiating a contract with Lee Kang-in. With continued interest from top Spanish clubs, PSG appears to be taking preemptive action.
If Lee Kang-in signs a new contract with PSG, his salary could rise to as much as 15 billion won before taxes. Considering realistic terms, it would be an offer attractive enough from the player's perspective. At the same time, it is a clear signal that the club classifies Lee Kang-in as a core asset.
PSG's salary structure was just revealed. On the 7th (Korea time), France's Le Parisien reported details of PSG's wage situation. According to the report, Lee Kang-in is receiving a monthly salary of 270,000 euros (470 million won).
The highest-paid player at PSG is Ousmane Dembélé, who won the Ballon d'Or last year. Lee Kang-in's pay is one-sixth of Dembélé's. The gap is also large compared with players who receive 500,000 euros per month, such as Désiré Doue and Bradley Barcola. Considering his status and usage within the team, it is a structure that could bruise his pride.
However, it is unclear whether Le Parisien's reported salary for Lee Kang-in is before or after taxes. French media have previously reported that Lee Kang-in receives 11 billion to 12 billion won before taxes. Under any standard, if PSG pushes for a contract renewal, a salary increase is inevitable. Raising his salary would give the club leverage in transfer fee negotiations and help secure the player's commitment. That is why talk has arisen that Lee Kang-in's salary could rise to around 15 billion won.
PSG's haste to renew is not simply because of Atlético Madrid's interest. Inside the club, Lee Kang-in is evaluated as a resource that fits the long-term project, and it is reported that the club values his steady growth over the past two and a half years. The judgment took into account tactical understanding, versatility, and experience on big stages.
Spanish outlet Football España reported on the 5th that PSG is pursuing a contract renewal with Lee Kang-in and is likely to put up a wall before Atlético makes a serious move. In fact, Lee Kang-in was strongly linked with Atlético in this winter transfer window. Atlético's sporting director, Mateu Alemany, who has watched Lee Kang-in since his Valencia days, is said to have contacted the player's side directly in Paris.
Multiple Spanish media outlets claimed that Lee Kang-in, who has not secured a guaranteed starting spot at PSG, also viewed a move positively to ensure playing time. PSG left room for negotiation by setting Lee Kang-in's transfer fee at up to 50 million euros (86.6 billion won). However, the transfer ultimately did not materialize.
The decisive reason was the opposition of coach Luis Enrique. Enrique judged Lee Kang-in to be an important part of the squad and asked the club not to accept any offers. PSG accepted that position and blocked approaches from outside clubs, including Atlético. And now they have pulled out the contract renewal card.
Football España reported that Lee Kang-in's current contract runs through 2028, but given how quickly he settled at PSG, it would not be surprising if a renewal takes place. El Desmarque also reported that PSG plans to use every means to prevent Lee Kang-in's departure in the summer transfer window, and that a contract renewal is the most certain method.
Currently it is hard to say Lee Kang-in is a guaranteed starter, but he has risen to the stage where, among rotation options, the coach is most likely to turn to him first. Thanks to his tactical flexibility to play centrally and on the flank, he is judged to have earned Enrique's trust.
Lee Kang-in's value was clear even in the return-from-injury away match at Strasbourg. Coming on as a second-half substitute, he changed the flow of the game almost immediately, and the attack that began with his key pass led to the winning goal, giving PSG three points.
The upcoming Le Classique against Olympique de Marseille could be another turning point for Lee Kang-in. With Achraf Hakimi suspended, Warren Zaïre-Emery is likely to shift to fullback, which would increase the chances of Lee Kang-in starting in midfield. Depending on the condition of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, there is also a scenario of deploying him as a wide attacker.
Eurosport predicted that if Lee Kang-in produces another decisive performance against Marseille, it could be a turning point in his PSG career and a stage to prove the board's judgment correct. PSG's plan to renew his contract is moving from a simple plan toward reality.
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