*This content was translated by AI.
Atletico Madrid, a prestigious La Liga team, sought to recruit Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) striker Lee Kang-in (25) but eventually gave up. Instead, Atletico are making all-out efforts to recruit Atalanta striker Ademola Lukman (29).
Spain's "Marca" reported on the 30th (Korea Standard Time) that "Atletico tried to recruit Lee Kang-in in the transfer market this winter, but PSG refused to release him and gave it up."
Atletico had a serious power leak due to the departure of its main players in the transfer market this winter. It has become urgent to secure alternative resources to fill the gap, sending striker Giacomo Raspadori to Atalanta and midfielder Conor Gallagher to Tottenham Hotspur.
The "0th priority" target pointed out by Atletico Sports Director Matteu Alemani was none other than Lee Kang-in. Director Alemani tried to recruit Lee Kang-in, who has a lot of experience in La Liga and has creative passes and de-pressure capabilities, to use it as a new engine for the offense.
However, PSG's attitude was resolute. PSG made it clear that it had no intention of releasing Lee Kang-in, the team's core resource, during the season, and in the end, Atletico had no choice but to turn empty-handed.
However, the "Lee Kang-in's illness" is not completely over. The media added, "Atletico stepped down this winter, but there is a possibility that Lee Kang-in will be recruited once again in the upcoming summer transfer market."
As Lee Kang-in failed to be recruited, Atletico hurriedly came up with the next best option. Currently, Atletico are all-in on Atalanta's recruitment of Nigeria's national striker Ademola Lukman. Marca said, "Atletico is struggling to recruit Lukman," but added, "Fenerbahce is also aiming for Lukman by offering a higher transfer fee, so it is not expected to compete easily."
For Atletico, David Pratesh (Inter Milan) is on the list of defensive midfielders, Gallagher's vacancy after leaving for Tottenham. Initially, he was aiming for Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), but negotiations broke down and he is seeking to bring Pratesh to a low-cost loan format due to the need to pour funds into recruiting Lukman.
Atletico's heart for Lee Kang-in is the same as the "clap love" that has been going on for years. The most specific recruitment attempt came in 2023, when he was in Mallorca. In January of that year, he sent his first official offer in the winter transfer market, but it was canceled due to opposition from Mallorca, and in the summer, he was also the top recruitment priority under the approval of Diego Simeone. At that time, he was on the verge of a trade agreement, including cash and prospects, but negotiations eventually broke down because he could not narrow his disagreement with Mallorca, who wanted full cash for the transfer fee. Since then, Lee Kang-in has worn a PSG uniform.
In the end, Lee Kang-in is expected to remain in Paris during the second half of this season and continue his competition for the starting lineup. Currently, Lee Kang-in is recovering from a thigh injury. On the 18th of last month, he was replaced in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final with Flamengo, complaining of thigh pain. Since then, he has missed seven consecutive official games.
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*This content was translated by AI.
