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By Jhoo Dong-chan
Lee Kang-in is considering leaving Valencia CF where he made his professional debut, a local media outlet said.
According to Superdeporte, an online news outlet based in Valencia, Lee is stalling his new contract with the football club, and does not want to accept the contract it has offered.
"It's not a question of economics, but instead, he wants a better sporting project," it said.
"French, German and Italian teams have shown interest in signing Lee."
Lee started in six games while coming on as a substitute in 18 games last season. The South Korean national is expected to play more games this season because several teammates, who had competed for the position with Lee over the last season, left the team.
Valencia's new head coach Javi Gracia also stressed Lee was an irreplaceable asset in his game plan. The favorable mood for Lee was quite contrary to the club's move to let go of another football prodigy, Ferran Torres, during the transfer season.
Spanish radio station Cadena COPE claimed in August that Lee has agreed to play with Valencia until summer 2025, but another media outlet Cadena SER confirmed Lee hasn't signed the new contract yet.
"It's unclear," Cadena SER said. "Valencia offered a new contract twice, but Lee rejected."
Lee's current contract expires in June 2022. Generally, a football club offers a new contract with a player when their standing contract remains at less than one year.
"Valencia does want to keep Lee in the squad," football commentator Hwang Duk-yeon said. "It now has no option but to start Lee in the team's midfield line this season since Parajo and Coquelin left."
Another analyst, Park Jong-yoon said the new contract depends on Lee's position this season.
"Lee displays what he can do only when he plays in the attacking midfielder position. It isn't right to play him near the touchline. Valencia emphasized long balls in the past two games where Lee could not make much difference. He also doesn't seem comfortable in the position," Park said.
"I believe joining a new team isn't a bad option for him."
