‘Shocking’ Real Sociedad attempt to hijack Lee Kang-in… “I want a second Kubo”
Spanish Primera Liga side Real Sociedad are planning to hijack Lee Kang-in (22-RCD Real Mallorca) from Atletico Madrid, just as they did with their ‘friend of the same age’ Kubo Takefusa (22).
“Real Sociedad are looking to snatch one of La Liga’s best signings from Atletico,” Spanish outlet España Dario Football said on 8 August.안전놀이터
This season, Real Sociedad finished fourth in the league with 21 wins, eight draws and nine losses (71 points) and qualified for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in 10 years after the 2013-2014 season. If Mallorca had Lee Kang-in, Sociedad had Kubo. In 35 league games (2454 minutes), Kubo scored nine goals and provided seven assists to help Sociedad reach Europe. Now that they’ve made it to Europe, they’re in need of reinforcements. Lee Kang-in is reportedly one of their targets.
The reports are somewhat shocking. The player, who is expected to leave Mallorca at the end of the season, has been linked with Atletico Madrid, Manchester United, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Burnley, Brighton & Hove Albion (all in England), AC Milan and Napoli (Italy). Atletico Madrid, in particular, have been linked with a personal agreement. Tomeu Maura, who works for Football Desde Mallorca as a journalist covering Majorcan clubs, said: “The negotiations between Mallorca and Atletico Madrid are continuing. As far as I know, Lee and Atletico Madrid have already reached an agreement.”
However, the media claim that the Sociedad are using Kubo’s success to convince Lee to stay. “After a great season in Mallorca this year, Lee has several offers on the table,” said Spain’s Dario Football. Atletico Madrid were the first to show interest, but Sociedad are trying to convince him with the ‘Cubo formula’. What is clear is that the young player (Lee) and the commitment (contract) will determine the future of the new team.”
“Sociedad wants a second Kubo. Kubo, a former Barcelona and Real Madrid youth team player, joined Sociedad after a great season in Mallorca and has been a standout ever since. Lee is in a similar situation to Kubo. He has a buyout clause of €16 million, which Sociedad would be willing to pay if a few conditions are met.”
It was thought that the sale of Martin Subramendi, who has been linked with Barcelona and Arsenal, would facilitate the signing of Lee. He was expected to fill the same role as Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal), a creative midfielder who led the team to a sixth-place finish in the 2019-20 season. “While Sociedad prioritises signing defenders like Alvaro Odriozola (Real Madrid), it would be interesting to see Sociedad with an attacking midfielder (like Lee) who scores a lot of goals, in other words, they are looking for a ‘new Ödegaard’,” said Dario Football in Spain.
If the deal goes through, Lee and Kubo would be reunited at Real Sociedad. The two played together in Mallorca in the 2021-2022 season and have a friendship that transcends nationality.