Speaking to Kicker, Mainz sporting director Martin Schmidt has confirmed that talks with Jae Sung Lee over a contract extension have already begun. 

When asked about an extension for Lee, Schmidt said: “It’s clear that you want to keep such a player. The talks are already going on in the background. We’re not from yesterday. He knows what he has in Mainz 05. There is a lot of calm on both sides and we want to come together,”

Lee’s current contract expires in 2024. The 30-year-old joined Mainz in 2021 on a free transfer from Holstein Kiel.  

Since the World Cup break, the Korean international has been in red-hot form, scoring five goals and assisting twice as Mainz have moved from mid-table to fighting for a European place since the return of the Bundesliga as they currently sit seventh.

Prior to the World Cup break, Lee had only scored twice for Mainz this season, what is more surprising is Lee played in all but one of South Korea’s games at the World Cup as they reached the round of 16. The 30-year-old is already having his best season with Mainz.

Lee played 74 minutes as Mainz beat Borussia Mönchengladbach 4-0 with goals from Lee, Marcus Ingvartsen, Ludovic Ajorque and 17-year-old Nelson Weiper. 

GGFN | Jack Meenan