Manchester United are said to be one of many clubs plotting a move for one of Paris St. Germain’s key players, who has been compared to David Silva.
Manchester United are looking to add to their attacking options as they hope to rectify a poor season that only saw them score 44 Premier League goals.
Rumours from the club have indicated that Ruben Amorim is hoping to bring in players to fill the attacking midfield roles and a new striker. Currently, Ipswich’s Liam Delap is the favourite to fill the striker role next season and provide competition for out-of-form Rasmus Hojlund.
Matheus Cunha looks set to be the first major signing through the door this summer, with the Wolves forward set for an imminent medical at Carrington. Amorim doesn’t appear to be finished signing attacking midfielders, however, as this week has seen many reports linking the club with Brentford’s Bryan Mbuemo.
Although Mbuemo has had a stellar season, United may decide to go in a different direction now that a PSG star is looking available.
United eyeing move for PSG’s Lee
CaughtOffside have listed Manchester United as one of the clubs that have registered their interest in PSG and South Korea midfielder Lee Kang-in.
Despite his talent, Lee started only 19 of PSG’s 34 league games this season and is interested in “more playing time and a manager who will trust and build around him.”
Lee has a contract with PSG until 2028 but is currently unwilling to sign a new deal. PSG may look to move him on before his contract expires in order to make a profit on the £18.2 million they paid in 2023.
There is intense competition for the attacking midfielder, as the report also lists Atletico Madrid, Napoli, Arsenal, Newcastle United, Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, and Nottingham Forest as potential suitors. From this group, the fiercest competition for United would likely come from Atletico Madrid, who attempted to sign Lee when he was at Mallorca.
Lee could be a perfect fit for Amorim
Although this season hasn’t seen Lee reach the same level of output that Cunha and Mbuemo have, he would still be a valuable signing. Lee has scored six and created six more in the league this season, but a lot of his best play has not led to direct goal involvements. Lee’s strength comes from his work rate.
Lee often wins the ball in attacking positions, having won possession 15 times in the attacking third of the league this season, and crucially, he does something valuable with the ball once he has won it, having drawn comparisons with Manchester City legend David Silva.
The South Korean star rarely misplaces passes with a 92% pass accuracy in the league and these aren’t just safe passes either as he has a 78.9% long-ball accuracy as well.
Although usually playing in midfield, Lee has displayed versatility this season. Despite their goalscoring threat this season, PSG have struggled with their number nine role, where Luis Enrique has not seemed to have favoured striker Goncalo Ramos.
This has led to points in the season where Lee has played in a false nine role, notably against Man City in the Champions League, where he wore down the City defence before the Parsian side mounted a four-goal victory in the second half.
The number of goal involvements doesn’t do Lee justice. Amid Amorim’s well-documented demand to secure fresh signings in midfield this summer, participation in the 40-year-old’s system would elevate the players around him and provide the side with more attacking opportunities.
The attacking players whose numbers have been disappointing this season would likely have far better seasons if United decide to pursue Lee.
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