Aston Villa are reportedly willing to pay Kang-in Lee’s release clause to sign the South Korean international, with Newcastle United also chasing the RCD Mallorca star.
According to Ultima Hora, Unai Emery is a big fan of the 22-year-old playmaker, with Villa now keen to pay the youngster’s €18m (£15m) release clause to bring Lee to the Premier League, with the former Valencia star impressing this season in the Balearic Islands.
Villa are far from alone in their interest in Lee, though with Marca reporting that Newcastle are also in the mix to sign the Asian superstar, who had been lauded as ‘insane’ by supporters during his early years with Valencia. Yet Villa are now asserting themselves as the favourites for the prospect.
Indeed, the current transfer battle for Lee could prove to be an incredible outcome for the South Korean star, with Newcastle and Villa two sides who this season have shown that they are some of the most exciting project clubs in all of Europe with top head coaches.
As a result, Lee could have the world at his feet depending on who he decides to join in Newcastle or Villa. Yet given his experience in La Liga, Emery and his West Midlands side might be the most ideal destination for the 22-year-old in the next step of his development and career.
Lee signing for Villa could be one of the bargains of the summer
At £15m, Lee presents incredible value in the market given how young the playmaker is and how good the South Korean could become in the future. And for Villa, they could land one of the bargains of the summer of they can manage to pull off a deal for the Mallorca star.
Emery has taken many Villa players to a new level under his coaching, and Lee could be the next big-name to develop his game into something special if the Spanish coach can get his hands on the 22-year-old and mold him into his perfect creative image.
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