Celtic setback with £2.5m star now set to snub Postecoglou’s likely deal

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Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors star Cho Gue-Sung will now snub a January transfer to Celtic. The South Korea international has instead opted to move to the Bundesliga with FSV Mainz 05.

That is according to the Evening Standard, which reports Gue-Sung is set to reject interest from the Hoops and a host of teams in the United States. Jeonbuk Hyundai have given the forward permission to agree a move to Europe after impressing at the World Cup in Qatar.

Gue-Sung scored two goals in South Korea’s 3-2 defeat to Ghana in Group H during his first start. The 20-cap striker also went on to start the Taegeuk Warrior’s 2-1 win over Portugal. He also opened their Round of 16 match with Brazil but he would not help avoid a 4-1 loss.

Jeonbuk Hyundai are happy for the 24-year-old to now secure a maiden transfer to Europe for £2.5m. Gue-Sung has spent his entire domestic career thus far in his native South Korea and won the K-League with Jeonbuk Hyundai in 2019/20. He has also sealed the cup twice.

Gue-Sung now wants to complete his transfer to Mainz as soon as possible to be ready for the Bundesliga resuming. Die Nullfunfer return to German top-flight action at VfB Stuttgart on January 21. Bo Svensson’s MEWA Arena side sits 10th in the standings after 15 fixtures.

Gue-Sung to snub a transfer to Celtic to join FSV Mainz from Jeonbuk Hyundai

Celtic had wanted to secure a transfer with Jeonbuk Hyundai for Gue-Sung to bolster Ange Postecoglou’s attacking options. But he appreciates the offer Mainz have put on the table, led by ex-Manchester United winger Park Ji-Sung. He is Die Nullfunfer’s technical director.

Gue-Sung can also unite with his compatriot Jae-Sung Lee at the MEWA Arena, with whom he has earned 10 of his South Korea caps beside. The midfielder joined Mainz in July 2021 and has a key role under Svensson. He has played in all 15 of their league games this term.

Now, Jae-Sung and Gue-Sung are set to reunite at Mainz at Celtic’s expense in the January transfer window. Dean Jones had suggested in December that the Jeonbuk Hyundai striker was a likely signing for Postecoglou. But the role of compatriot Ji-Sung may have been key.