Anderlecht picks target from Standard: duplication for Roofe?

RSC Anderlecht will continue its search for new acquisitions without delay. Sporting would be close to the arrival of left back Bogdan Mykhaylychenko, and according to the usually reliable German medium Kicker, an offer was made for Jae-Sung Lee. The 27-year-old South Korean is the club top shooter of Holstein Kiel, who plays in the 2. Bundesliga, with 10 hits.

Stand out at the 2018 World Cup

Jae-Sung Lee is especially a big name in South Korea. The 49-time international won 4 titles with Jeonbuk Motors in the Korean K League 1, where he was named Most Valuable Player of this competition in 2017. Lee also signed as a basic player with his home country at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The South Koreans were already eliminated in the group stage, but there was a win against Germany and in this match Lee aroused the interest of the German second division Holstein Kiel. He left a big impression in the port city over the past two seasons, which sparked the interest of RSC Anderlecht.

STANDARD WAS FIRST

But Sporting was not the first Belgian club that Lee had in its sights. During the summer mercato of 2019, Sudpresse reported that Standard showed concrete interest in the South Korean. However, it seems unlikely that the Rouches will sign up for Lee again, given Sclessin’s financial situation. Then Lee usually played as an attacking midfielder or number ten, but since the calendar year 2020, the technically skilled player usually acts as a central attacker. Lee is mainly known as an offensive all-rounder and as the decidedly best football player of Holstein Kiel, a gray mid-rider from the 2. Bundesliga. As an attacking midfielder, Lee easily finds his way to the goal, but as a central attacker he seems to add something extra to his team.

NINE FOOTBALLING NUMBER

This season, Lee will be played more often in playing minutes as a central attacker than as an attacking midfielder. His technique, vista and footballing ability are shown much better on the pitch, and perhaps that will have convinced Anderlecht during their scouting. As an attacking midfielder, Lee was an attractive and important player, but he struggled with efficiency in his game. And Lee finds that efficiency in the role as a central attacker.

For example, the South Korean is in the top five among the central strikers in the 2. Bundesliga in the field of smart passes, passes to the final third and through passes. Lee therefore has the profile of a footballing number nine, the type striker for which Vincent Kompany has a soft spot. In terms of general passing, Lee even finishes as the second best central striker of the competition. With 80.33% passes he does a few percent better than Kemar Roofe, the current ‘false number nine’ of Anderlecht.

ROOFE OUT, LEE IN?

In the search for reinforcements for next season, Anderlecht mainly seem to lurk for footballing ability. The profile of Jae-Sung Lee also meets the requested requirements of the Purple & White scouting. As a midfielder, the South Korean may be too light in Lotto Park, but as a fake number nine – Kemar Roofe’s current role – Lee clearly has the right qualities. The market value of the Holstein Kiel star is currently 1.6 million euros, while Rangers FC reportedly sees no problems in the arrival of Roofe, which according to Transfermarkt.de represents a capital of 4.5 million euros. Will Anderlecht close two good deals in a sporty and financial way?