Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is assessing his options regarding the transfer activity of his club, with moves being made in the ongoing January transfer window.
What's the talk?
According to Spanish publication Marca, Villa are interested in acquiring the signature of South Korean flanker Kang-in Lee, who has emerged as one of the hottest young prospects in the Spanish La Liga with RCD Mallorca, having previously risen to prominence with fellow divisional outfit Valencia.
Interest in the Asian sensation is mounting, with the Claret & Blue poised to rival high-flying Premier League rivals Newcastle United in clinching his signature as per the report.
A dynamic offensive force, Kang would fit the bill for Emery’s budding system in the Midlands, providing cover across multiple fronts and rising to prominence over the next few seasons under his Spaniard manager’s sagely observation.
Imagine him & Watkins
At just 21-years-old, Kang has already racked up 89 appearances in the Spanish first division, scoring five goals and assisting nine more.
As evidenced by Transfermarkt, the South Korean has played across every imaginable forward position this season for Mallorca, earning direct contributions on both flanks and as a centre-forward.
This season for his outfit, the ten-cap star has made 14 starts in the top-flight, scoring two goals and serving four assists, impressing with his positional fluidity and building upon his previous term, where he chalked in just one goal and two assists all season.
As per FBref, he ranks among the top 6% of forwards across Europe's top five leagues for attempted passes, the top 3% for dribbles completed and the top 9% for progressive passes, while also bolstering his teammates' fortunes by sitting within the top 9% for shot-creating actions.
The £13m-rated phenom would be a brilliant, flowing addition to an ambitious Aston Villa side crying out for an injection of quality on the attacking front, and he would aid the likes of Ollie Watkins in rekindling goalscoring form.
By utilising his budding knack for creating openings for his teammates, and tendency to target forward-thinking dribbles and passing plays, the “outstanding talent” - as dubbed by Valencia academy director Luis Vicente Mateo - would provide Watkins with a boost to the creativity behind his shooting boots.
Indeed, he has only found the back of the net on three occasions in the Premier League this season and is clearly in need of some extra creativity behind him.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano recently confirmed that the club were approaching the final stages of a transfer deal for Real Betis left-back Alex Moreno, and the offensive flanks are the forthcoming departments of the field in need of fortification.
By signing Kang, there is an instant replenishment of the frontline and the platform to nurture the talents of an outstanding young star.