Lee Kang-in to join Atlético Madrid: Reports

Lee Kang-in, one of Korea’s brightest football talents, is set to depart Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) for Spanish team Atlético Madrid during the summer transfer window, according to French media on Monday.

“Lee Kang-in is set to leave PSG after spending three seasons with them,” French outlet RMC Sport reported on Monday. “PSG has reached an agreement with Atlético Madrid over Lee Kang-in’s transfer.”

RMC added that PSG agreed to a transfer fee of slightly more than 40 million euros ($45.8 million).

“[Lee] to Atlético Madrid, here we go,” Italian sports journalist Fabrizio Romano wrote on social media on Monday. “Deal in place between all parties.”

Like RMC, he estimated the transfer fee to be 40 million euros.

Romano also explained that Lee himself wanted the transfer, with the personal terms having been agreed upon months ago.

“Formal steps to follow but verbal agreement done,” he wrote. 

Lee joined PSG in the summer of 2023 and made 124 appearances in official games. He scored 16 goals and recorded 16 assists.

The footballer lifted several trophies with the club, including back-to-back UEFA Champions League titles through the 2024-25 season.

The transfer would mark a homecoming for Lee, who made his name in Spain — playing for Valencia from 2018 to 2021 after more than a decade in the club's academy and for Mallorca from 2021 to 2023 — before joining PSG.

He recently emerged as one of the few bright spots for Korea at the FIFA World Cup 2026, in which he played every minute of the team’s three matches.

Despite Korea’s early exit from the tournament, Spanish sports news outlet Marca named Lee on its group-stage Best XI list and gave him a power ranking score of 23.96. He was the only Asian player selected by Marca and the only player from a nation that did not advance to the Round of 32.

BY PIH JU-YOUNG [[email protected]]