Gangwon FC star Yang Hyun-joon is ‘frustrated’ as the South Korean outfit stand in his way of sealing a ‘dream’ move to Scottish Premiership champions Celtic.
Questions were asked, following the departure of Ange Postecoglou to Tottenham Hotspur, about whether or not the Hoops would pick up where the former Vissel Kobe boss left off and continuing scouring the Far East for bargain buys.
Reports from the Daily Record linking Celtic with three of the K-League’s brightest talents answers that question rather emphatically.
Gwangju FC duo Eom Ji-Sung and Jeong Ho-Yeon are on their radar. As is Yang Hyun-joon, as confirmed by Gangwon FC director Kim Tae-Joo.
“It is true Celtic (are interested in) Yang Hyun-jun,” Kim explained. It is his next sentence, however, that has left the 21-year-old winger unhappy.
“No, we will not transfer Yang this summer,” Kim adds. “The transfer fee is not a big problem. However, the priority is to consider the current team situation.
“Celtic are sticking to their position of wanting to recruit Yang during this summer.”
Yang Hyun-joon wants Celtic move this summer
According to Korean publication Naver, Yang has emerged as Celtic’s number one options among all their K-League targets. The Busan-born forward possesses a Jota-esque, gorgeous first touch, a fearsome turn of pace and an impressive end product.
During the 2022 K-League season, Yang scored eight goals and set up four more in 31 games.
Naver add that Celtic, impressed by Yang’s skill and potential, offered a ‘fairly large transfer fee’. But Gangwon are not budging; reluctant to let one of their star players go in the middle of a season which runs from February to the autumn.
“Yang Hyun-joon’s dream is to move to Europe,” one of his representatives explains. “It’s a dream he’s had since he started his career as a player. A golden opportunity came under good conditions, but the club is blocking it. So he’s frustrated.”
Yang turned down an offer from MLS outfit Minnesota United in the recent past as he awaited an offer from the other side of the Atlantic.
One that has now arrived in the shape of Celtic. A Hoops side who snapped up fellow Korean attacker Oh-Hyeon Gyu in January.
“It ‘s good for the players and Korean football to challenge Europe,” the representative adds. “An offer from Europe came, and now it hurts to see adults changing their words.”
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