Yang Hyun-Jun believes he is no closer to a ‘dream’ move to Celtic despite claims that the Scottish Premiership have agreed a £2.1 million fee with K-League outfit Gangwon FC.
We did wonder why Celtic appeared to be pushing ahead with deals for both Marco Tilio and Yang Hyun-Jun when Brendan Rodgers already had so many wide players at his disposal.
In hindsight, however, Celtic’s interest in the two 21-year-old’s was probably a sign of things to come. A suggestion that the Glasgow giants knew that Jota was likely to find the staggering sums on offer in Saudi Arabia too good to turn down.
Celtic completed Tilio’s signing this week; bringing the former Melbourne City speedster to Parkhead just a few days before Jota’s £25 million switch to the Middle East was confirmed.
Now, Rodgers and co will shift their focus to Yang.
Celtic struggling to get Yang Hyun-Jun deal done
According to Korean publication Sports Khan, Celtic and Gangwon FC have come to an agreement on a fee of £2.1 million, having seen a previous offer of £1.7 million fall short.
That was the easy bit. Convincing Gangwon to let Yang move now – rather than in January – is proving to be a far more difficult task. Gangwon want to keep their prized asset for another few months, having made a poor start to a K-League season which runs throughout the summer and until the Autumn.
“There is no progress yet in going to Celtic,” Yang sighed following Gangwon’s recent 1-0 defeat to Incheon.
“I requested a meeting, but I am yet to meet CEO Kim Byeong-ji. I want to solve (the situation) quickly, I want to go.”
Yang admitted last month that a move to Celtic would be a ‘dream’ for him. Gangwon’s sporrting director has also admitted the Hoops’ interest, but confirmation of Tilio’s arrival may have Yang fearing that such an opportunity may be about to pass him by.
“Celtic is not waiting for me like that,” Yang adds. “It is confusing to hear that other situations are also being considered.
“I still don’t have the heart to stay, but I can’t help it that I can’t go. I just want to go, so I’m going to try my best.”
Yang scored eight goals and set up four more during a fine breakthrough campaign at Gangwon in 2022.
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