Newcastle United have reportedly asked about RCD Mallorca and South Korean World Cup star Lee Kang-in, who is currently valued at €12 million.
Newcastle United have reportedly made an approach for RCD Mallorca attacking midfielder Lee Kang-in. That is as relayed by Spanish outlet Super Deporte, who explains the 21-year-old South Korean wizard has been one of the breakout stars at the start of the 2022/23 La Liga season and is now drawing interest from Premier League clubs.
Lee left his home country at the age of ten to join Valencia’s academy. He rose through the ranks and became the youngest-ever South Korean player to feature in European football on his club debut in late 2018. But he truly burst onto the scene on the international stage at the 2019 FIFA Under-20 World Cup, when he got the Golden Ball and helped his team finish second.
Thereafter, he quickly established himself as an important squad member for Valencia in the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons before his contract was mutually terminated by his parent club amid the financial turmoil under the controversial ownership of Peter Lim.
The player himself was keen on earning regular first-team minutes and moved to Mallorca on a free transfer in the summer of 2021. He has enjoyed a great start to the current season with Mallorca, notching up two goals and three assists in his first 14 matches in La Liga, and is undoubtedly one of the Spanish minnows’ biggest attacking threats.
While he shone for the then-relegation-threatened outfit in his debut season, the end product was lacking due to the unavailability of a potent striker up top. Former Lazio target man Vedat Muriqi arrived on a permanent deal this past summer and has benefitted from dazzling South Korean’s service.
He is currently away on World Cup duty with the Taegeuk Warriors and made a positive impact after coming in as a substitute in the South Asian side’s 0-0 draw against Uruguay. His exploits have not gone unnoticed on the continent, with cash-rich Newcastle United enquiring with Mallorca about the feasibility of a January swoop for the talented midfielder.
The Magpies are said to have their sights set on a couple of high-quality winter reinforcements to boost their top-four push. In addition, Eddie Howe has made no secret of his desire for his club to go far in cup competitions.
Likened to David Silva and Bernardo Silva in terms of his play style thanks to his exceptionally nifty footwork and close control in tight spaces, the diminutive left-footed creative midfielder ranks as one of the best dribblers in his position on the continent and also has decent shot creation numbers for a low-possession side in Mallorca.
Still only 21 years old, he has the potential to develop into a key player for Newcastle United in the long run, with his game centered around super technique, excellent speed, shooting ability, and defensive work rate — all traits Eddie Howe likes in his players.
Add to the fact that Newcastle currently do not have an out-and-out attacking midfielder, and Lee could be a good addition to the squad. A more cost-effective, high-return alternative than someone like Leicester City’s star playmaker James Maddison, who might not be available for a transfer in the January transfer window.
