At a press conference held in Seoul ahead of Newcastle United’s pre-season clash with Tottenham Hotspur, manager Eddie Howe directly addressed the transfer rumours linking his side to South Korean internationals Kim Min-jae and Lee Kang-in. While acknowledging long-term admiration for both players, Howe ruled out a move this summer, saying: “There’s interest, but we won’t pursue them this year.”

With Newcastle United in South Korea for their pre-season tour, transfer speculation surrounding two of the nation’s top talents — Kim Min-jae and Lee Kang-in — once again surfaced. The Magpies have been repeatedly linked with the Bayern Munich centre-back and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder in recent transfer windows, especially as the club continues to scout for elite-level talent under the financial backing of the Saudi PIF.

Speaking at a press conference held at IFC Mall in Seoul’s Yeongdeungpo district on Friday, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe was joined by midfielder Sandro Tonali and South Korean winger Park Seung-su. Unsurprisingly, the subject of potential Korean signings took centre stage.

“We’ve been watching both players for some time, and yes, we’ve had genuine interest,” Howe confirmed. “But at this moment, they are not part of our immediate recruitment plans. They’re talented players with bright futures, and we’ll keep monitoring their careers.”

Howe’s comments appear to shut the door on any summer swoop for either Kim or Lee, both of whom experienced mixed campaigns at two of Europe’s biggest clubs. Kim, despite winning the Bundesliga with Bayern, found minutes harder to come by in the second half of the season, while Lee battled for consistency at PSG amid tactical shifts and injuries.

For Newcastle, a club that secured Champions League qualification just a year ago and now aims to return to Europe, strengthening the squad is vital — especially after a season marked by injuries and dips in form. But so far, only winger Anthony Elanga has arrived, with other transfer dealings stalling. In contrast, striker Alexander Isak’s reported desire to leave has become a pressing concern, with Liverpool said to be preparing a fresh bid after an initial offer was rebuffed.

Asked about Isak’s situation, Howe deflected: “I trust the club to make the right decisions,” offering little further insight into what could be one of the Premier League’s biggest summer storylines.

Newcastle’s Korea tour concludes with a marquee fixture against Tottenham Hotspur at Seoul World Cup Stadium. While fans will be eager to see action on the pitch, Friday’s presser provided clarity off it — at least where Kim Min-jae and Lee Kang-in are concerned. For now, their future lies elsewhere.