Leeds United supporters may not know much about Lee Han-beom yet, but that could soon change. The South Korea international has emerged as a transfer target.
It comes after Lee Han-beom starred for South Korea in their 2-1 win over the Czech Republic. For club and country, his performances have attracted plenty of attention from across Europe.
Lee is a 23-year-old centre-back who currently plays for FC Midtjylland. Standing at 6ft 3in and naturally right-footed, he came through the academy at FC Seoul before establishing himself in the K-League.
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The defender made more than 50 senior appearances for FC Seoul before securing a move to Denmark in 2023. Since joining Midtjylland, he has developed into a regular first-team player.
His progress has also continued internationally. Lee represented South Korea at youth level, won gold at the Asian Games and has since broken into the senior national team, now a part of the World Cup squad.
At 23, he already possesses an impressive CV. Experience in the K League, Danish Superliga, European competition and international football has established him as one of South Korea’s best defensive talents.
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According to TeamTalk’s latest report, Leeds are among the clubs monitoring Lee’s progress. The same report claims Feyenoord are also tracking the defender, while Liverpool have previously been credited.
Midtjylland are understood to be in a strong position regarding any potential negotiations. Lee remains under contract and there is no indication that the Danish side are actively looking to sell one of their best.
That means any interested club is likely to face a sizeable asking price despite Lee’s value estimated at €3m. Given his age, international exposure and development trajectory, a move is hardly a surprise.
For Leeds, the attraction is obvious. Rather than pursuing an established Premier League defender, they would be investing in a player whose best years should still lie ahead.
Lee Han-beom showed his quality against Czech Republic
Lee’s display in South Korea’s 2-1 World Cup victory over Czech Republic offered a strong indication of why clubs are taking notice. The centre-back completed a full 90 minutes and earned a 7.1 FotMob rating.
His performance combined defensive authority with composure in possession. Lee registered 80 touches, completed 53 of 63 passes for an accuracy rate of 84% and produced nine passes into the final third.
Defensively, the numbers were equally encouraging. According to FotMob’s match statistics, he recorded five clearances, four headed clearances, two recoveries and a tackle while contributing six defensive duels.
Perhaps most impressive was his aerial dominance. Lee won five of his seven aerial duels, a success rate of 71%, and was not dribbled past once throughout. Leeds scouts will have been impressed, if watching.
Those figures paint the picture of a modern centre-back capable of defending aggressively, remaining comfortable in possession, a profile that fits neatly with the demands of Premier League football.
His arrival could raise fresh questions about Pascal Struijk
Any move for Lee would inevitably prompt discussion around Pascal Struijk’s future. Leeds are keen to retain the Dutchman and Daniel Farke is understood to view him as a key player, but there is interest.
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That is why the Lee link is particularly intriguing. At 23, he is not the profile of a developmental signing expected to spend years waiting for an opportunity. He is already a senior international.
Struijk would remain the more proven Premier League defender, but Leeds would effectively be adding another long-term centre-back option at a time when planning for the future is becoming important.
That does not mean Lee would arrive as Struijk’s replacement. However, it would give Leeds another high-upside central defender and additional protection should circumstances change in the months ahead.
For now, Lee Han-beom remains a relatively unfamiliar name for many Leeds fans. If the club’s reported interest develops into something more concrete, that is unlikely to remain the case for much longer.
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