PSG have confirmed the arrival of South Korean attacker Lee Kang-in from Mallorca on a five-year contract. The 22-year-old attacking midfielder from South Korea, is now the first player from his country to join the club.
Lee Kang-in unveiled as a PSG player. Source: Club’s website Born in Incheon in 2001, Lee Kang-In moved to Spain at the age of 10 to join Valencia’s Academy in 2011. At just 17 years old, he made his debut for the first team in 2018, after spending seven years with the club. After representing Valencia for three seasons, featuring in 62 matches and scoring three goals, Lee Kang-In moved on to Mallorca in 2021. Though he suffered a mediocre debut campaign, the 22-year-old got a breakthrough year in the 2022-23 season. Primarily operating as a winger but equally effective in a central role, he played in 39 matches across various competitions last season, netting six goals and providing six assists. 22-year-old Lee Kang-in signed a five-year contract with PSG after a reported €22m (£18.8m) deal, and he’s now the Ligue 1 champions’ fourth new signing of the current window. Lee follows Milan Skriniar, Marco Asensio, and Manuel Ugarte to the Parc des Princes and departs Mallorca following a successful two-year spell with the Spanish club.
Lee Kang-in playing for South Korea. Source: Getty Speaking to the club’s website, he said; “It’s incredible to be able to join Paris Saint-Germain, it’s one of the biggest clubs in the world, with some of the greatest players in the world, said Lee Kang-In. I can’t wait to start this new adventure. “I have known Paris Saint-Germain since I was small. They are one of the best teams in the world. I have also been following the French league for a long time too. It’s a very competitive league, which boasts a lot of very talented players. “My position on the pitch can vary, I am a midfielder that is capable of playing on both wings. I’m a skilful player who’s comfortable on the ball. I’ve got a lot of desire and a thirst to win. I’m here to help the team as a whole, with the aim of helping the team to win. “My objective is always to help the team as much as possible, to help the club to win every match and as many titles as possible.”
Manuel Ugarte at a match for Sporting Lisbon. Source: Reuters However, the Blues soon pulled out of the race for the South American, who quickly earmarked the Parc des Princes as his preferred destination for a summer move. Ugarte is the third player to be recruited by PSG this summer after Skriniar and Asensio signed on free transfers. France’s 2018 World Cup-winning defender Lucas Hernandez is also expected to arrive as new coach Luis Enrique looks to strengthen his team for next season. However, there remain ongoing questions about the future of Kylian Mbappe, who said last month that he would not extend his contract, which expires next year. If there is no change to his stance the club must sell the player in the current transfer window, otherwise, they will likely lose him for nothing when his deal ends. 
Christophe Galtier at a training with PSG players. Source: Getty Fans reacted furiously to the allegations, leading to Galtier reportedly hiring private protection. Neither PSG nor Nice have commented on the accusations of discrimination. Galtier and Fournier both left Nice last year after working together at the club which is owned by Britain’s second richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe, for just a season. Galtier eventually secured an appointment with PSG as a coach. He led PSG to another French league title as expected, but PSG was eliminated early in the Champions League and the French Cup by rival Marseille this season. PSG’s form slumped after the World Cup, with 10 losses in 28 games in 2023. Galtier has one year left on his contract but PSG has reportedly been holding talks with Luis Enrique to replace him in the coming days. 
Mikel Arteta thanking Arsenal fans after a match. Source: Reuters Following the departure of Christophe Galtier, PSG are in search of a new manager. Several names, including Jose Mourinho and Julian Nagelsmann, have been linked to the position, with Arteta also reportedly considered a candidate. Arteta had previously played for PSG during a loan spell from Barcelona between 2000 and 2002, making a potential return to Paris an intriguing prospect. Reacting to claims of alleged interest from PSG, Mikel Arteta told Spanish outlet Marca; “I can only say that I am happy at Arsenal. I feel loved, valued by our owners, Stan and Josh [Kroenke], and I have a lot to do here at this club. I am happy and tremendously grateful to be at Arsenal.” While Arteta appeared to rule out an immediate move to PSG, he hinted that a return to his home country of Spain could be a possibility in the future. He said; “Spain is my country. I have been away for many years and at some point, it could be an option to return to the league and have other experiences. But not now.” 
Arsenal players celebrating a goal against Wolves. Source: Reuters Arteta also said that he is pleased to have helped Arsenal ‘regain their soul’ following a difficult period in the club’s history. He added; “It started three years ago. I was Pep [Guardiola]’s assistant at [Manchester] City, we were playing Arsenal and I could see that the soul of the club had been lost. “There was no enjoyment, no feeling. I knew there was the option of, soon after, being in the other dugout and I knew that this club is so big that we had to connect the team with the fans. “It has been hard to do and undo… but now I feel happy. We have a clear identity, there is unity and we are full of energy. That’s the greatest thing. From top to bottom, everyone is pushing in the same direction. We give the fans something to dream about and be proud of. And now, we have to win more.” 
PSG goalkeeper, Sergio Rico. Source: Getty The 29-year-old was taken into intensive care following the head injuries he received. Sergio Rico was taken off of sedation a fortnight ago, only to be put back into a coma a few hours later. The goalkeeper’s wife, Alba Silva, who gave an update on his health while speaking to the Spanish outlet, Telecinco, said her husband has regained consciousness and is on the mend. She said; “We can finally see the end of the tunnel. We’re going there step by step. I knew from the beginning that he would get through it because he’s a champion.” The hospital where he is being treated, the Virgen del Rocío Hospital in Sevilla, said updates would only be provided in major developments upon demand of the player’s family. 
Luis Enrique dishing out directives to his players. Source: Reuters L’Equipe reported that after embarking on an extensive search for a replacement, former Spain and Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique has been identified as the number one candidate, and PSG are now close to reaching an agreement with the 53-year-old. While there are still a few details to be finalised, PSG are confident of getting a deal over the line and are hopeful of announcing Enrique as their new head coach at some point this week. The Ligue 1 holders had considered several top coaches for the role, including former Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann, who was at one stage thought to have been leading the race for the job. Nagelsmann is believed to have held positive talks with PSG chiefs based in Doha, but the German subsequently pulled out of the race after failing to agree on key details with the capital club. 
Luis Enrique after Spain’s world cup match against Morocco. Source: Getty PSG considers Luis Enrique to be the ideal coach as he has experience in the Champions League, a competition he won with Barcelona. His style of play has been key and he would know how to deal with the heavyweights in the dressing room. The Ligue 1 side has decided to accept the conditions that he has asked of them, aware that time is running out with only a few weeks to go before pre-season. Luis Enrique’s last experience was with the Spain national team, which he led to a Nations League final and the semi-finals of the European Championship. Despite having attracted interest from big clubs, including Napoli and Chelsea, the Gijón native had given himself time to consider offers, with PSG being the most concrete and the one he could end up accepting. 
Sergio Ramos at a match for PSG. Source: Getty It would also be the last time PSG fans will see Argentine football legend Lionel Messi play in Red and Blue colors. Ramos signed for the club in 2021 and has made 57 appearances in the PSG shirt. While Ramos was seen as perhaps one of the final pieces of the puzzle to help the Parisian club win the Champions League, he is wrapping up his time in France with two Ligue 1 titles and one French Super Cup title. Announcing his decision to leave after the last match of the season today, Sergio Ramos tweeted; “Tomorrow is a special day, tomorrow I will say goodbye to another stage of my life, goodbye to Paris Saint-Germain. I don’t know in how many places one can feel at home, but without a doubt PSG, the fans, and Paris were one of them for me. “Thank you for two special years in which I was able play in every tournament and give my all. I will face new challenges, I will wear other colours, but first, and for the last time: ¡#AllezParis.” Tomorrow is a special day, tomorrow I will say goodbye to another stage of my life, goodbye to @PSG_inside. I don’t know in how many places one can feel at home, but without a doubt PSG, the fans, and Paris were one of them for me. — Sergio Ramos (@SergioRamos) June 2, 2023 PSG chairman and CEO Nasser Al-Khelaifi also confirmed the Spaniard’s exit from the club in a statement released on Friday, June 2. He said; “We would like to express our immense gratitude to Sergio Ramos for the two years he has spent with us. “Sergio’s leadership, team spirit and professionalism, combined with his experience at the highest level, make him a true football legend, and it was an honour to have him in Paris. Everyone at the club wishes him all the best.” After a successful 16-year stint with Real Madrid, where he made 671 appearances and scored 101 goals, Ramos joined PSG on a free transfer ahead of the 2021/22 season. He missed the majority of the first season due to injury and fitness issues. But made a sensational comeback this season with 30 starts in Ligue 1 and featured in every minute of PSG’s Champions League campaign. 
Sergio Ramos benched during a Ligue 1 match. Source: Getty PSG have already lined up Ramos’ replacement as they secured Inter Milan’s defender Milan Skriniar on a free transfer. Ramos on the other hand, has been linked with several clubs from Saudi Pro League, including Al-Nassr, where his former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Rolando captains the team. 
Messi at a match for PSG. Source: Getty Confirming the development, Galtier said; “I had the privilege of coaching the best player in the history of football. This will be his last match at the Parc des Princes, and I hope that he will receive the warmest of welcomes. “This year, he has been an important part of the team, always available. I don’t think any of the comments or criticisms are justified. He’s always been there for the team. It’s been a great privilege to accompany him throughout the season.” Messi has scored 21 goals and provided 20 assists across 40 appearances for the Parisian side this season. Included in that tally are 16 goals and 16 assists from 31 Ligue 1 appearances. 
Messi after a match for PSG. Source: Getty While the 35-year-old won the World Cup with Argentina last December, his time at PSG has been far from an unmitigated success. He arrived at PSG in August 2021, joining a star-studded team that includes Kylian Mbappé and Neymar, with the hope of winning the club’s first Champions League title. Although PSG clinched their 11th Ligue 1 title last weekend, in March they were once again knocked out of the Champions League in the last 16. In recent weeks, Messi has received abuse from some sections of PSG fans, and last month the club suspended him following an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia. Messi has a commercial contract with Saudi Arabia to promote tourism and has been linked with a lucrative move there at the end of the season. There has also been talk of a return to Barcelona, where he spent the majority of his career and won 10 La Liga titles and the Champions League on four occasions. Messi has also been linked with a move to David Beckham’s MLS team, Inter Miami. 
The match against Ajaccio on Saturday, May 13, saw both teams end up with 10 men after Thomas Mangani aimed a punch at Achraf Hakimi, who retaliated. Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi gave PSG a comfortable lead at half-time and Kylian Mbappe got in on the act with a second-half brace at Parc des Princes. Mohamed Youssouf’s own goal compounded the visitors’ misery before Hakimi and Mangani were red-carded over a fight. Ajaccio’s best chance came in the 67th minute when Mickael Barreto’s right-footed shot from outside the box just sailed over the bar. 
Messi played the full 90 minutes during the match which ended 5-0. The PSG fans loudly jeered when Messi’s name was announced over the tannoy before the match. They also launched another verbal volley toward the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner when he first touched the ball. The Argentine legend appeared subdued throughout the night despite playing his part in another handsome victory. Messi’s name booed and whistled by PSG fans 🎶📢 pic.twitter.com/LM3kONKATG — PENGMAN SPORTS (@PGM_sports) May 13, 2023 Christophe Galtier’s PSG are just four points away from a record 11th French title. They are six points clear of second-placed Lens with three more fixtures remaining. The two-year deal Messi signed with PSG after his shock exit from the Nou Camp back in 2021 is due to expire in the coming weeks, with no new agreement on the horizon. He’s been tipped to follow Cristiano Ronaldo’s lead by moving to the Middle East, with Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal firmly in the mix to acquire the sought-after megastar.