[SPORTALKOREA] Reporter Hwang Bo-Dong-hyuk = Paris Saint-Germain appears determined to somehow keep Lee Kang-in on the team.
French media ‘Team Football’ said on the 14th (Korean time), “Within PSG, Lee Kang-in’s name is repeatedly mentioned as one of the players that coach Luis Enrique will never give up on. Atletico Madrid actively moved to recruit Lee Kang-in in this winter transfer market, but PSG’s answer was firm. Lee Kang-in is a resource that cannot be sold.”
In fact, although Lee Kang-in remained at PSG, he was one of the players whose possibility of leaving was discussed more than ever in this winter transfer market.
On the 20th of last month, reporter David Medina, who is familiar with Atletico Madrid news, said, “Lee Kang-in is confident about leaving PSG and moving to Atletico,” and added, “The club evaluates it as a high-value signing not only in terms of strengthening its power but also in terms of global expansion, and general manager Matteu Alemani plans to pursue the signing, even taking the form of a loan.”
However, the transfer was eventually canceled due to coach Enrique’s stubborn refusal, and Team Football evaluated it as “an example that shows how much trust Lee Kang-in has from the coach.”
He praised Lee Kang-in, saying, “Contrary to his apparent playing time, Lee Kang-in is one of the jokers that Coach Luis Enrique trusts the most. He is a player who has the ability to play multiple positions, influence to change the flow of the game, the skill to protect the ball under pressure, and even plays to save his teammates.”
Lee Kang-in came on as a substitute in the 23rd minute of the second half in the league game against Marseille, which was his second game after returning from injury, and scored the team’s fifth goal with a powerful left-footed shot in just 6 minutes, leading to a 5-0 victory.
Although the game was already close, despite the short playing time, he showed impressive performance and once again confirmed coach Enrique’s trust.
Lee Kang-in’s attitude is also a factor that coach Luis Enrique highly values. According to reports, Lee Kang-in has never expressed dissatisfaction even when promising prospects Seni Mayulu and Ibrahim Mbaye were hired.
Rather, he is said to have quietly devoted himself to the team, gaining the trust of both the locker room and the team’s leadership. His current contract runs until 2028, but there is already talk internally about the possibility of a renewal (contract extension).
The leading French newspaper ‘L’Equipe’ also presented a similar outlook. L’Equipe said, “Lee Kang-in received strong interest from Atletico Madrid this winter. However, the situation has changed from last summer when he was thinking about his future at PSG. He rejected the offer, and above all, at this point in the middle of the season, the option of PSG sending Lee Kang-in out was not a consideration in the first place. PSG’s plan is clear. It is to extend Lee Kang-in’s contract until June 30, 2028.”
Of course, it may take more time for Lee Kang-in to become a perfect starter like Ousmane Dembele, Vitinha, and Hvica Kvarachelia.
However, the fact that Lee Kang-in is evaluated as a key resource at the world’s best club, which achieved the treble last season, and has the firm trust of the manager and club, is enough to show how high Lee Kang-in’s status has risen.
Photo = PSG REPORT
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date: 2026-02-14 21:50:00