Atletico Madrid has moved to the front of the race to sign Lee Kang-in, and talks have already taken place with the PSG forward’s representatives. Transfer market expert Matteo Moretto said the Spain club now leads the pursuit for the 25-year-old, who wants the move as Atletico reshapes its summer plans.
That matters because Lee has spent this season on the margins at PSG despite producing three goals and four assists in 27 league matches. He also came on as a substitute in all 10 UEFA Champions League matches, including only 12 minutes in the first leg of the quarterfinal against Liverpool, a usage pattern that has helped explain why a transfer is back on the table.
Marca reported Atletico’s summer transfer trends on the 10th local time and cited Moretto’s view that the club is ahead of other suitors. Moretto said Lee also wants to join Atletico, which gives the Spanish side a clear opening if it can satisfy PSG. The forward’s profile has appeal beyond the pitch, too, because Atletico believes he can help target the Asian market and bring in sponsorship revenue.
PSG did not start the summer ready to sell. For six months it held a not-for-sale position, but that line softened after Lee pushed for a transfer, was left out of the starting team and personally visited club executives to ask them to consider other offers. Luis Enrique did not want to force an unhappy player to stay, and PSG eventually reversed course.
The next hurdle is the one that usually decides these deals: money. Atletico also is trying to strengthen elsewhere, with Julian Alvarez expected to leave, Alexander Sørloth close to Juventus and Marc Cucurella still a target, but Lee’s move will only advance if the clubs agree on a fee and Atletico turns early interest into a formal offer.
