Lee Jae-seong (31, Mainz 05), who is recording a “career high” in the German Bundesliga this season, knocks on the door of the English Premier League (EPL). In the midst of revealing his will to enter the EPL directly through an interview, local reports came out that Crystal Palace were interested in recruiting Lee Jae-sung.
According to local media outlets such as German Kicker and British HITC on the 18th (Korean time), Palace has shown interest in Jae-Sung Lee since his time in Holstein Kiel, Germany’s second division league, and is expected to promote the recruitment once again in line with his performance this season. It is said that Lee Jae-sung can be promoted again to compensate for the weakness of scoring in the midfield area this season.
Lee Jae-sung has already scored 6 goals in 20 matches (14 starts) in the German Bundesliga this season. He set a career high by surpassing the record of scoring 4 goals right after entering the Bundesliga last season. Including the days in the German second division, only 3 goals were left in the 9 league goals scored during the Holstein Kiel in the 2019-2020 season. Looking back at his upswing this season, his double-digit score can also be challenged enough.
Coincidentally, Lee Jae-seong also directly revealed his will to enter the EPL. “My idol, Park Ji-sung, played for Manchester United,” he said in a local interview. “The EPL stage is a very attractive stage.” Through the blog, he also hinted at a new challenge to domestic fans, saying, “It’s the last time to make a change.” 안전놀이터
Lee Jae-sung’s contract with Mainz 05 is until June next year. If Mainz allows the transfer of Lee Jae-sung, it is likely this summer after this season. This is because Mainz can receive the transfer fee and transfer Lee Jae-seong. Although the market value based on the Transfermarkt is 3 million euros (approximately 4.2 billion won), which is not too much, the transfer fee can be higher as it is recording a career high in the Bundesliga this season.
Lee Jae-sung entered the European stage by joining Holstein Kiel in 2088 after going through Jeonbuk Hyundai. For the next three seasons, he played an active role as a key player in Holstein Kiel, and joined Mainz through a free agent in the 2021-2022 season, entered the Bundesliga and is spending his second season.
If Lee Jae-sung enters the EPL stage after the season, he will become the 17th Korean player ever to sign with an EPL club. Palace, which is sending a love call to Lee Jae-sung, is in 12th place in the EPL with 6 wins, 7 draws and 9 losses. It is also the team that Lee Cheong-yong (35, Ulsan Hyundai) was a member of from 2015 to 2018.