{"slug": "world-cup-opening-week-fuels-transfer-buzz-for-lee-kang-in-lee-han-beom", "title": "World Cup opening week fuels transfer buzz for Lee Kang-in, Lee Han-beom", "summary": "The opening week of the 2026 World Cup has sparked transfer speculation around Korean players Lee Kang-in and Lee Han-beom, with FC Barcelona reportedly meeting Lee Kang-in's agent. Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are monitoring Lee Kang-in, whose market value of 28 million euros makes him the highest-valued player in Group A.", "body_md": "The opening week of the 2026 World Cup has sparked early transfer speculation around Korea's Lee Kang-in and Lee Han-beom, with European clubs reportedly watching the pair. Spanish outlet Sport said Wednesday that FC Barcelona sporting director Deco recently met Javi Garrido, Lee Kang-in's agent, and that the 25-year-old Paris Saint-Germain midfielder's name came up during transfer talks. Deco also met the father of 23-year-old Valencia player Javi Guerra. The report did not say Barcelona had made a formal move to sign Lee Kang-in, but noted the club is watching developments alongside Atletico Madrid, which is also reported to be interested. Barcelona's current roster includes 19-year-old Lamine Yamal and 30-year-old Raphinha. Transfermarkt puts Lee Kang-in's value at 28 million euros ($32.1 million) making him the highest-valued player in Group A. He ranks ahead of teammates Son Heung-min, 34, of LAFC at 15 million euros, and Kim Min-jae, 30, of Bayern Munich at 20 million euros. His on-field performance has lived up to expectations. According to data company Gradient Sports, Lee Kang-i", "url": "https://wpnews.pro/news/world-cup-opening-week-fuels-transfer-buzz-for-lee-kang-in-lee-han-beom", "canonical_source": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/sports/20260619/world-cup-opening-week-fuels-transfer-buzz-for-lee-kang-in-lee-han-beom?utm_source=rss", "published_at": "2026-06-19 07:52:03+00:00", "updated_at": "2026-06-19 07:59:34.514218+00:00", "lang": "en", "topics": ["ai-tools"], "entities": ["Lee Kang-in", "Lee Han-beom", "FC Barcelona", "Deco", "Javi Garrido", "Paris Saint-Germain", "Atletico Madrid", "Gradient Sports"], "alternates": {"html": "https://wpnews.pro/news/world-cup-opening-week-fuels-transfer-buzz-for-lee-kang-in-lee-han-beom", "markdown": "https://wpnews.pro/news/world-cup-opening-week-fuels-transfer-buzz-for-lee-kang-in-lee-han-beom.md", "text": "https://wpnews.pro/news/world-cup-opening-week-fuels-transfer-buzz-for-lee-kang-in-lee-han-beom.txt", "jsonld": "https://wpnews.pro/news/world-cup-opening-week-fuels-transfer-buzz-for-lee-kang-in-lee-han-beom.jsonld"}}