Lee to close deal with Crystal Palace

Lee Chung-yong

By Kim Jae-heun

• Published Jan 23, 2015 5:32 PM KST
• Updated Jan 23, 2015 5:32 PM KST

Bolton Wanderers’ midfielder Lee Chung-yong may soon find himself in a new team.

English Premier League team Crystal Palace and Lee have nearly closed wage and transfer fee deals, the British newspaper The Guardian reported Thursday.

Lee’s transfer to the Premier League from the Championship looked uncertain when he suffered a hairline fracture to his shin during the first round against Oman in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup in Australia on Jan. 10. However, Bolton club manager Neil Lennon said Lee’s injury is minor and he is expected to recover within ten days.

Lee has appeared in 200 games as a winger for the Wanderers since 2009. The Korean midfielder’s contract expires in June and his team has requested a fee of around 2.5 billion won ($2.3 million) from Crystal Palace for the transfer.

Crystal Palace is confident about Lee’s transfer, although reports suggest that his wage at nearly 50 million won per week ($46,129) may burden the club. But Crystal Palace is desperate to remain in the Premier League and they apparently need Lee to do it.