South Korea striker Cho Gue-Sung admits he is ‘dreaming’ of a move to Europe after impressing at the Qatar World Cup and catching the eye of Scottish champions Celtic, speaking to Sports Cho Sun.
In quotes reported by The Herald earlier this week, Cho’s father admitted that the 24-year-old’s agent is ‘in the process of finalising’ a move away from K-League outfit Jeonbuk Motors.
“The advice I have given my son is when he signs for a team abroad, go to a club that can play the way he likes, rather than choosing a club because they are a big name,” he said.
“I know his agent is in the process of finalising negotiations regarding his transfer overseas. He will certainly go to Europe. Ahead of the World Cup, I told him that this was a tournament that he had to show everyone what he could do on the pitch. And I think (Cho Gue-Sung) did that.”
He certainly did.
Cho, the K-League’s Golden Boot winner in 2022, brilliantly translated his club form onto the international stage; scoring twice in South Korea’s group-stage clash with Ghana. What’s more, no one has won more aerial duels in the entire tournament than a spring-heeled 6ft 2ins centre-forward who could potentially replace Giorgios Giakoumakis at Parkhead.
Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic want South Korea and K-League striker Cho Gue-Sung
Celtic, the Scottish Sun say, are eyeing up Cho ahead of the winter window.
And while the 24-year-old insists that he hasn’t ‘heard anything’ yet about specific offers, Cho certainly shares his father’s view that the time is right for a new challenge.
“As a player, of course, it’s a dream to go out on the world stage and meet world-class players. I also want to go out on the European stage. I’m dreaming (of that),” he says.
“I think I need to prepare really well for the World Cup in four years’ time. If I show and prove my growth year-by-year and season-by-season, I think a good opportunity will come again.”
Cho scored 21 goals and set up five more for Jeonbuk Motors in the 2022 campaign. He also found the net against Ange Postecoglou’s Yokohama F Marinos side in the Asian Champions League a couple of seasons back.
Celtic, meanwhile, are also keeping tabs on Stal Mielec talisman Said Hamulic. Slovakia international Ladislav Almasi is another option to replace Giakoumakis.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
