Why was Lee Kang-in included in La Liga’s best XI of summer signings?

Lee Kang-in was picked because Score 90 ranked him among the highest-valued transfers of the 2026-27 summer window. He was listed in midfield after Atletico Madrid paid a reported 35 million euros for him.

How much did Atletico Madrid pay for Lee Kang-in and how does it compare with Kim Min-jae’s transfer?

Atletico Madrid reportedly paid 35 million euros for Lee Kang-in. That makes him the second-most expensive Korean footballer transfer on record, behind Kim Min-jae’s 50 million-euro move from Napoli to Bayern Munich in 2023.

Which clubs had the most players in La Liga’s highest-fee Best XI?

Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid each had four players in the XI. Barcelona had two players on the list, and the lineup’s remaining spot went to Yann Diomande.

Lee Kang-in named to La Liga's best XI of summer signings

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Summary

Lee Kang-in of Atletico Madrid has been named to a best XI of La Liga’s top summer signings based on transfer fees. Score 90 released the lineup on Wednesday, placing Lee in midfield. His 35 million-euro move ranks as the second-highest transfer fee ever paid for a Korean footballer, behind Kim Min-jae’s 50 million-euro transfer in 2023. Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid each had four players selected, and the XI’s combined transfer value was 497 million euros.

Key Facts

Lee Kang-in joined Atletico Madrid for a reported transfer fee of 35 million euros.
Score 90 selected a best XI of the highest-valued transfers of the 2026-27 season’s summer window on Wednesday.
Lee’s fee is the second-highest ever paid for a Korean footballer, trailing Kim Min-jae’s 50 million-euro move from Napoli to Bayern Munich in 2023.

By Xportsnews

Published Sep 3, 2026 3:25 pm KST

Atletico's Lee Kang-in celebrates after scoring the a goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Atletico de Madrid and Malaga CF in Madrid, Spain, Aug. 19. EPA-Yonhap

Korean national team star Lee Kang-in of Atletico Madrid has been named to a best XI of La Liga’s top summer signings based on transfer fees.

Football content outlet Score 90 introduced its best XI of the highest-valued transfers of the 2026-27 season’s summer transfer window on Wednesday, with Lee earning a spot in midfield.

Lee joined Atletico Madrid for a reported transfer fee of 35 million euros ($41 million), forming a midfield trio with teammate Morten Hjulmand, who arrived for 40 million euros, and Barcelona’s Rodri, whose transfer was valued at 60 million euros.

Lee’s transfer fee ranks as the second-highest ever paid for a Korean footballer.

He trails only Kim Min-jae, who moved from Napoli to Bayern Munich in 2023 for 50 million euros.

Atletico Madrid had four players on the XI. In addition to Lee and Hjulmand, Alejandro Grimaldo joined the club for 15 million euros, while Cristian Romero arrived for 33 million euros.

Barcelona had two players on the list, with Anthony Gordon joining Rodri after moving for 80 million euros.

Real Madrid, which has gone trophyless for two consecutive seasons, also had four players selected, matching Atletico Madrid’s total. Marc Cucurella was listed at 55 million euros, Denzel Dumfries at 20 million euros and Spanish youth prospect Carlos Espe at 25 million euros.

The remaining spot went to Yann Diomande, whose 125 million-euro transfer fee made him the most expensive signing of the summer transfer window.

The combined transfer value of the 11 players on La Liga’s highest-fee Best XI is 497 million euros.

This article from Xportsnews is adapted by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.

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