Lee Kang-in (Real Mallorca) ‘transfer of the century’ seems to be virtually certain.
On the 22nd (Korean time), the Mallorca Daily Bulletin, a local newspaper in Mallorca, Spain, said, ‘Lee Kang-in is expected to leave Real Mallorca this summer. Aston Villa of the English Premier League (EPL) are said to be willing to pay close to 20 million euros. He had a brilliant season with Real Mallorca and the South Korean national team. He wanted a transfer last winter. The club hoped to stay until summer. Lee Kang-in’s transfer was a matter of time. His transfer could be one of the biggest issues in Spain this summer. “Real Mallorca must prepare money to find a replacement player.” 스포츠토토
Previously, reporter Fabrizio Romano, a transfer expert, reported on his personal SNS (social network service) that “Lee Kang-in is expected to leave Real Mallorca in the summer.” Reporter Juanmi Sanchez, who is in charge of Mallorca, also said, “Let’s enjoy the remaining 9 games of Lee Kang-in, who plays as a Real Mallorca player.” Real Mallorca have nine games left until the end of the season.
Lee Kang-in is a talent that Spain’s prestigious Valencia trusted and nurtured. He left Valencia for 10 years in 2021 and joined Real Mallorca. He is playing as the core of the team. 3 goals and 5 assists this season. They are putting on a ‘magic show’ in every game with different levels of pressure relief and sharp kicks. In particular, in the match against Celta Vigo held on the 18th, he performed a one-man show and was selected as the best player in the match (MOM). He made a total of 64 ball touches that day, including 3 accurate crosses, 7 passes in the final third, 9 successful dribbles (the most by both teams), 4 chances created (the most by both teams), and 2 shots.
In particular, according to Opta, a media specializing in football records and statistics, Lee Kang-in’s 9 successful dribbles against Celta Vigo are the first in the club’s history since Gonzalo Castro recorded the same record against Osasuna in 2009. Spanish media Ars said, ‘Lee Kang-in exists everywhere. He is the center and owner of Real Mallorca’s play. He plays, fights, dodges, runs, attacks and defends.” He was also selected as the Spanish Primera Liga and Europe’s top 5 league ‘Team of the Week’.
According to TransferMarkt, a European football transfer site, Lee Kang-in’s value has risen to 15 million euros (approximately 21.4 billion won). His latest buyout amount was reported to be 18 million euros.
Coincidentally, Lee Kang-in’s agent Javier Garrido recently visited Aston Villa. On the 13th, Garrido reported on his SNS that he had visited Manchester City and Aston Villa. The Birmingham Mail, which mainly deals with Aston Villa news, also mentioned Lee Kang-in.