Kicker Report: Jae-sung Lee to Hoffenheim not necessarily in the bag
On Wednesday, German footballing magazine Kicker put the brakes on a Tuesday Sky Germany report suggesting that Holstein Kiel attacking midfielder Jae-sung Lee neared an agreement to move to TSG Hoffenheim.
The magazine's internal sources indicated that a deal is actually not near and the the 28-year-old has many potential suitors.
Promotion candidates Holstein Kiel are apparently not prepared to let their third-leading goalscorer jump ship so easily. According to a "Kicker" report published Wednesday, the north German club still wants to keep their South Korean attacker, particularly in light of a possible season in Germany's top flight.
The magazine's internal sources indicated that a deal is actually not near and the the 28-year-old has many potential suitors.
The article notes that several other clubs are also interested in the breakout star, capped 51 times for his nations Taeguk Warriors. Fellow promotion candidates Hamburger SV are said to have expressed interest. In addition to his current club, SC Freiburg have evidently made a play.
The Breisgauer, who potentially offer Lee the opportunity to play alongside fellow countrymen Woo-Yeong Jeong and Hoon-Chan Kwong, are noted to have had their overtures rejected in the article.
Kicker journalist Michael Pfeifer concludes that it remains possible that negotiations with the Sinsheimers are at an advanced stage, but notes that sources at the north German club acted with surprise that their player was being courted at all. This suggests a deal may be a long way off.