The Basics
Age: 22
Club: RCD Mallorca
Nation: Republic of Korea
Position: Attacking midfielder
Footed: Left
Under contract until: 2025
Lee began his youth football career in South Korea at Incheon United and Flyings FC before moving to Valencia in 2011 aged 10.
After six years in the youth team, Lee was called up to the Valencia B team and played 26 games, scoring four goals, before making his debut for Valencia in 2018.
He made 62 appearances for Valencia between his debut and the summer of 2021, when he terminated his contract with the club after being placed on the transfer list, subsequently joining Mallorca on a free transfer.
After starting 15 of his 30 league appearances in the 2021/22 campaign, Lee became a mainstay in the starting 11 last season, starting 33 times in La Liga, scoring six goals, and providing six assists.
The midfielder made his debut for South Korea in 2019 and has 12 appearances for the national team.
The Links
Matteo Moretto of Spanish news outlet Relevo reported that Villa are “interested” in Lee back in January. He later added that although Villa were “attentive” to his situation, they were “not the best placed team to sign him”.
The Scouting Report
Strengths
Lee is a versatile attacker who can fill different roles. At Mallorca he has played as a winger, a false striker, and a central midfielder.
When out wide, Lee has the speed to worry defences and can also whip dangerous crosses into the penalty area. He averaged 6.41 crosses per 90 minutes over the last year, which is extremely high for a player who plays in various positions.
This ability to cross the ball also shows up in Lee’s set pieces, which are dangerous. He had several assists from free kicks and corners this past season, averaging 1.18 shot-creating actions from dead balls over the last year.
Lee is tricky with the ball at his feet and has excellent close control, which helps him in tight areas. He’s able to shift the ball around quickly and keep it away from his opponent. He averaged 3.41 progressive carries and 2.87 successful take-ons per 90 in the last year.
In the 2022/23 campaign Lee added goals to his game, scoring six times which is more than the rest of his previous career combined.
Without the ball, Lee drifts around, sometimes hugging the touchline and other times dropping into central areas. He roams around searching for spaces to receive the ball in and makes smart runs off his striker looking to get on the end of flick ons.
Defensively, Lee shows a willingness to hassle opponents, pressing them aggressively and not being afraid to stick his foot in.
He takes up defensive positions in his own penalty area when needed and can be seen making important tackles. Lee also communicates with his teammates to ensure attackers are picked up.
Despite his youth, Lee is already experienced, having made 161 club appearances at the age of 22, most of them in a major European league.
Weaknesses
The biggest obstacle Lee faces is his stature, and it’s not something he can really change. He is only 5’8” and isn’t especially strong either. He won just 28.8% of his aerial duels in the last year.
There is an inconsistency to his game, which is to be expected at his age. His first touch can be on point one minute then desert him the next. Lee averaged 2.2 miscontrols per 90 minutes in the past year.
For the defensive savvy he shows, there are also plenty of occasions where Lee will be too passive or switch off and fail to spot a runner.
Fit With Villa
Lee would fit in well at Villa as he’d be able to play multiple positions, including as a second striker alongside Watkins or as a wide midfielder in a 4-4-2 or as a true winger in a 4-3-3.
He is more of a long-term venture than an instant impact player and could take some time to settle in the Premier League. His lack of size is something he’d have to overcome in a physical league.
The talent is clear to see though, and Lee could be a top player with some more development. His set pieces would also come in handy.
He reportedly has a release clause of £21million and the South Korea international would be a worthwhile investment at that price.
Transfer Targets Series
The Villa Ramble 
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