Phoenix 24
The midfielder is set for a return to Spanish football.
MADRID, SPAIN — July 2026. Atlético Madrid has reached an agreement with Paris Saint-Germain for the transfer of South Korean international Kang-in Lee, pending the medical examination and formal announcement. The Spanish club will reportedly pay €35 million, with another €5 million linked to performance-related bonuses. The 25-year-old midfielder is expected to sign a five-season contract through June 2031. He will become Atlético’s second summer reinforcement following the arrival of Alejandro Grimaldo.
Kang-in Lee had been one of the main targets identified by sporting director Mateu Alemany, who knows the player from their time together at Valencia. Atlético attempted to negotiate his arrival during the winter transfer window, but PSG refused to authorize his departure midway through the season. Talks resumed during the summer and advanced after the footballer expressed his desire to return to LaLiga. The final agreement gives Diego Simeone a technically gifted player capable of operating in several attacking positions.
The South Korean can perform as an attacking midfielder, right-sided interior or winger, providing creativity between midfield and attack. His close control, passing vision and ability to escape pressure could offer Atlético a different profile against opponents defending in compact blocks. Simeone will also value his tactical versatility and willingness to contribute without the ball. The challenge will be adapting those qualities to the physical intensity and defensive discipline demanded by the Argentine coach.
Kang-in Lee developed in Valencia’s academy and made his professional debut with the club before establishing himself as an influential player at Mallorca. His performances in the Balearic Islands earned him a transfer to PSG in 2023, where he won several trophies but struggled to secure a permanent starting role. Fierce competition inside the French squad limited his continuity despite his technical ability and international experience. Returning to Spain now offers him the opportunity to assume a more prominent role during a decisive stage of his career.
The operation also carries significant commercial value for Atlético Madrid because Kang-in Lee is one of South Korea’s most recognizable athletes. His arrival could strengthen the club’s presence in Asia while supporting its sporting renewal for the 2026–27 season. Atlético gains a versatile creator with extensive knowledge of Spanish football, while the player receives the continuity he was seeking away from Paris. Only the final procedures remain before the club officially presents its new signing.
Kang-in Lee is preparing to write his next chapter in Madrid.