Real Madrid are keeping a close eye on Valencia starlet Kang-in Lee, whose current contract at the club expires in the summer of 2022.
According to a report from Defensa Central, Kang-in Lee is facing an uncertain future at Valencia. The young playmaker has emerged as one of the jewels of the Spanish top flight, but his expiring contract in 2022 has apparently put Real Madrid on red alert.
Valencia are determined to keep hold of their asset and are even set to hold talks over a potential contract at the end of the season. However, Lee is reportedly unhappy at the club, with the player now eyeing a move to a bigger club in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Part of the Valencia side since 2011, Lee’s desire to leave the Mestalla is hardly surprising as the attacking midfielder has been one of the rising stars in La Liga this season. He has notched up 17 appearances in the league, impressing the onlookers with his work rate and dynamism.
Aside from his qualities going forward, another key asset in Lee’s game is his ability. The South Korean international can play anywhere across the final third, including the number nine role – making him an appealing target for Real Madrid.
? Who’s the last Korean player who could do this?
What a joy it is to watch Kangin play. Keep going ?
pic.twitter.com/T4t1IwBNM6— Jason (Hanshin) Lee (@Jasons_JaysHub) February 20, 2021
The Spanish giants have clearly lacked attacking options at their disposal this season, following the departures of Gareth Bale, James Rodriguez and Luke Jovic. In addition, head coach Zinedine Zidane has barely utilised the quality of Isco while Marco Asensio has had his problems with injuries.
From a sporting perspective, Lee’s potential addition to Real Madrid makes sense as he could add some much-needed competition for the likes of Asensio, Vinicius and perhaps even Martin Odegaard, who was loaned out to Arsenal in January.
The Valencia starlet can also be utilised as a marketing tool, as the acquisition could certainly raise the eyebrows of millions of viewers in Asia, particularly in his native South Korea, where football has gained a lot of traction following Son Heung-Min’s rapid rise to prominence.
Although Zinedine Zidane does have a rather disappointing record when it comes to nurturing young talents, Lee’s experience in La Liga combined with his qualities on the pitch does indeed make him a viable option for the club. The player is also likely to be available for a cut-price amid the financial repercussions of the global pandemic.
