Atletico Madrid are on the verge of completing the signing of Kang-in Lee from Paris Saint-Germain after securing an agreement on personal terms with the South Korean international. The La Liga club and the French champions are now working to finalise the structure of the transfer fee to seal the deal for the 24-year-old attacker.
This progress marks a notable shift from the winter transfer window, when Atletico’s initial approach for Lee was firmly rejected by PSG. The Madrid club made contact in January, but the Parisian side shut down any prospect of a sale at that time. Negotiations reopened in June and have advanced considerably faster during this second phase of talks, with the player’s firm desire to return to Spanish football acting as a catalyst.
Lee developed his professional career in La Liga with Valencia and later Real Mallorca before making the switch to PSG in 2023. He enters the final two years of his contract with the French champions, a situation that has reduced PSG’s leverage and prompted them to adopt a more pragmatic stance compared to their hardline position six months ago. With the player’s preference firmly pointing toward Spain, PSG have limited options to insist on retaining him against his wishes.
Valuation and Squad Planning
The principal remaining obstacle centres on the precise fee arrangement. PSG value Lee at approximately €35 million, although earlier coverage in the Spanish press suggested a lower range of €25–30 million. The discrepancy most likely reflects the inclusion of performance-related bonuses and variables rather than a significant gap in the guaranteed base payment. The deal forms part of a broader summer recruitment strategy at the Metropolitano, where planned sales are intended to free up the necessary budget for incoming transfers. Diego Simeone’s side has already demonstrated its intent with other confirmed business earlier this week, underlining that the club is moving with purpose rather than simply surveying the market.
Completion Expected Soon
With personal terms already agreed, the focus rests entirely on the inter-club negotiations. Once the fee structure is settled, medical examinations and the official announcement are expected to follow without delay. The alignment between the player’s preference for a return to Spain and Atletico’s established midfield targets suggests the transfer could reach its conclusion in the near term.