Resurgent Lee Seung-woo could rekindle European dream

Suwon FC's Lee Seung-woo, right, celebrates scoring a goal with Yoon Bitgaram during a K League match against FC Seoul at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Mapo District, western Seoul on July 12. [YONHAP]

Suwon FC midfielder Lee Seung-woo may reenter the European football stage.

Succeeding on the European stage has always been Lee’s dream since making his pro debut with Serie A side Hellas Verona in 2017.

KBS reported Monday that newly-promoted Serie A team Frosinone Calcio are interested in signing the 25-year-old midfielder.

Lee Seung-joon, the CEO of Lee Seung-woo’s agency S&S Sports, said through KBS that Frosinone did offer a deal to sign the Suwon midfielder this summer.

The European transfer window will remain open until Sept. 1, making it possible for Lee Seung-woo to move to Italy.

He is reluctant about leaving Suwon, however, as the K League side is being battered with multiple problems this season.

Suwon are sitting 10th on the 12-team table as of Tuesday and their key striker Lars Veldwijk cannot play through to the end of the 2023 season due to a 15-league match suspension by the league for drunk driving last week — 12 league fixtures remain for Suwon.

Lee’s absence will cause more trouble for Suwon, as he has played an important role at the club since making his K League debut with the club in 2022.

Playing as a winger in the 2022 season, he was Suwon’s top scorer with 14 goals. He has also performed well this season as a central midfielder, managing four goals and displaying solid contributions in defense.

This season and last have proven to be the most successful of his career, having never previously made more than four goal contributions at any other club.

Lee, who spent most of his youth career with Barcelona, used to be touted as the “Korean Messi,” but failed to live up to the high standards set for him from such a young age.

The Korean midfielder never appeared for Barcelona and moved around a number of teams, including Verona, before winding up at Sint-Truidense in Belgium.

His failure in Europe left him no choice but to return to the K League, where he was guaranteed more playing time.

As he is displaying overall improvements, he may join a European team in the near future, although it may not be this year.

Suwon manager Kim Do-kyun also said in February before the 2023 season began that Lee will play the entire season and may have a chance to return to Europe within the next three years.

The remaining 2023 season is crucial for Lee, not only because his performances will determine his potential return to Europe, but it will also decide whether he makes the 2023 AFC Asian Cup squad for the tournament in January next year.

The last international tournament Lee played with the Korean national team was the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. He was excluded from the 2022 Qatar World Cup squad, instead heading to Qatar as a commentator for SBS.

Lee will continue to be in action with Suwon, with the club facing 11th-place Gangwon FC at Gangneung Sports Complex in Gangwon on Saturday.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]