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| AFP Yonhap News |
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| ReutersYonhap News |
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There is a prospect that Lee Kang-in will also lose to prospects in the competition for the starting line-up at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
L'Equipe, a leading French newspaper, said on the 7th (Korea time) 'Who will replace him at PSG after injuries to Desiree Doue and Usman Dembele?'
PSG's main players have recently been injured. PSG said on its official website on the 7th that Dembele suffered a serious hamstring injury. It is unlikely that he will be able to play for about six weeks. Doue is also injured and will not be able to play for four weeks'
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Along with the departure of the two players, attention was also paid to who would fill the vacancy. Lee Kang-in was one of the candidates. But L'Equipe's expectations were different. L'Equipe will be a test of bench resources, with Dembele and Doue missing at the same time. Coach Enrique may not make much of a change in this situation where he has to replace the central striker and the right winger. With Bradley Barcola returning to the starting lineup, Gonzalo Hamus could get a natural choice'
"It may be fortunate that Lee Kang-in did not leave the right striker position, but Ibrahim Mbaye is the player who can enjoy this opportunity the most as he has been appointed ahead of Lee Kang-in throughout this summer," he said, explaining that Mbaye, a 17-year-old prospect, is likely to receive the opportunity instead of Lee Kang-in.
If this situation actually happens, and Lee Kang-in does not get a chance to leave some players, it will be more painful for PSG to block Lee Kang-in's transfer this summer.
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| ReutersYonhap News |
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Lee Kang-in was constantly mentioned as the possibility of breaking up with PSG this summer. The shaky position was the problem. Lee Kang-in, who had established himself as a clear main player under Luis Enrique from 2024 to 2025 season, was shaken greatly from the winter transfer market in January. Hvitsa Kvaratshelia joined the team, and Enrique, who has achieved results with a fixed starting lineup, prioritized using other players as starters instead of using Lee Kang-in.
Khvicha, Usman Dembele, Bradley Barcola, and Desiree Doue, João Neves and Vitinha were the main starters in the midfield. Lee Kang-in, who was pushed back from the competition, did not have many opportunities. There was no time to play in the final of the European Champions League or Cup, and he was only able to start in some games where the main players took a break.
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Lee Kang-in also had no choice but to increase his worries. With only a year left until the 2026 North Korea-China World Cup, he desperately needed time to play. Therefore, I actively considered a summer transfer. An opportunity was opened at the end of the transfer market. That was the suggestion of Nottingham Forest. L'Equipe said 'Lee Kang-in wants to increase his playing time, whether at PSG or other clubs. Nottingham offered around 30 million euros excluding bonuses to recruit Lee Kang-in, it said. Nottingham's proposal is reportedly worth 60 million euros (about 97 billion won) including bonuses. However, PSG insisted on staying and did not accept the transfer offer.
PSG's decision is on the verge of returning to the worst result for Lee Kang-in. If the 17-year-old prospect falls behind the competition, it is hard to guarantee how long he will be able to play before the winter transfer market. If there is a problem with the performance, it may not be easy to seek a transfer in the winter transfer market. Lee Kang-in faced a crisis from the beginning of the season.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
