In a blow to Korean soccer fans, a Spanish publication has reported that Lee Kang-in’s transfer to RCD Real Madrid has been delayed. Lee Kang-in, 22,’s plans to leave RCD Real Mallorca have been thwarted as the buyout (the minimum transfer fee a club must pay to a player’s original club) has exceeded expectations.
Spanish outlet Marca reported on Monday (Sept. 9) that “Lee’s buyout is much more expensive than it was a season ago. The starting price is 25 million euros (34.8 billion won).”
According to the outlet, variable buyout clauses are a recent trend among European clubs, allowing them to change based on a player’s performance, number of games played, and certain other conditions. “Lee, one of the most marketable players in Mallorca, is one of the players with such a clause,” said Marca, adding that Lee’s buyout rose significantly last season when he recorded six assists in the Spanish Primera Liga. “His development has been key to Mallorca’s consistent results and his performances at their home ground Son Moix have not gone unnoticed by Atletico Madrid and La Liga, who have been linked with him.”
Literally, Lee’s performances this season have been among the best in the league. With six goals and six assists in 36 league games and 2843 minutes, he set a new career-high for attacking points in a season and was named the official Man of the Match six times. Technically, he was also recognized as one of the best dribblers in the game. Lee totaled 90 dribbling interceptions, the most in La Liga after Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid – 112). When expanded to all five European leagues, he was fourth behind Lionel Messi (PSG – 102) and Jeremy Dockoo (Stade Rennes – 96), and his dribbling success rate alone was the highest among them at 67%.
However, the performance that caught the attention of all of Europe could prove to be an obstacle to escape Mallorca. His buyout clause was originally set at €17 million ($23.7 billion). However, after a fantastic season, the buyout clause jumped to €25 million.
His contract with Mallorca runs until June 2025, but Lee has already given the club an ultimatum. He has refused to re-sign with Mallorca, and according to local publications such as Football Desde Mallorca, he has already reached a personal agreement with Atletico Madrid. With only an agreement between the clubs remaining, Atletico Madrid, who do not have a lot of money in the transfer kitty, are looking to sell the player for 12 million euros (about 167 million won). Mallorca have also asked for another player in addition to Rodrigo Riquelme.메이저사이트
If it’s true that the buyout is higher here, it would put a lot of pressure on Atletico Madrid and any other club that wants to sign Lee. According to Marca, “Mallorca want more than €20 million. Lee is looking to take his career to the next level with another team. Knowing the player’s intentions, Mallorca are waiting for offers from other clubs.”