Newcastle United want Lee Kang-in and face paying around €17million (£14.5million) to sign the Mallorca playmaker in 2023.
The Magpies will likely have scouts watching the World Cup meticulously in an attempt to find potential signings.
Eddie Howe could no doubt love a couple of January additions, especially with Newcastle clearly in contention for European qualification.
A number 10 would be great for Newcastle and amid links to James Maddison, the Magpies could look further afield.
Newcastle United want Lee Kang-in
Marca report that Newcastle are the club most interested in signing Mallorca playmaker Lee Kang-in.
It’s claimed that a number of Premier League clubs are tracking Lee and English scouts watched him in action for Mallorca against Atletico Madrid earlier this month.
It’s Newcastle who seem most interested though and they could launch a move to bring him to St James’ Park.
The report notes that Lee has a €17million release clause in his contract, which is around £14.5million.
That’s a price that Newcastle can fairly easily pay and they must now weigh up whether to strike a deal.
Lee came off the bench for South Korea against Ghana on Monday and recorded a superb assist for a Cho Gue-sung header.
The 21-year-old has bagged two goals and three assists in 14 La Liga games this season and was once considered to be a wonderkid at Valencia.
An attacking midfielder with a great left foot, Lee still has untapped potential and Newcastle may well see that.
Asian players often get tabbed as ‘commercial signings’ and many will have seen the impact Son Heung-min has had on Tottenham Hotspur.
Tottenham are now one of the most popular clubs in South Korea and Newcastle could see similar potential in Lee.
A signing only for commercial reasons would be ridiculous though and Newcastle would need to believe that Lee can shine in the Premier League.
Lee didn’t quite live up to his billing at Valencia but is now a name for Newcastle fans to keep close tabs on.
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