South Korea internationals Heung Min-Son and Hwang Hee-Chan are encouraging team-mate Cho Gue-Sung to try his hand in European football as Scottish Premiership champions Celtic target the Jeonbuk Motors striker, speaking to Sport Chosun.
Cho’s agent, speaking to Naver Sports last week, certainly had some good news for Celtic supporters.
While admitting that talks with the Hoops were underway, he also played down the chances of Turkish giants Galatasaray snatching Cho from beneath Ange Postecoglou’s nose. The Hoops appear to be in pole position and, with around three weeks of the window remaining, there is still plenty of time on their side.
Celtic, Sky say, have now submitted a £3 million bid for the 2022 K-League top scorer. That is around £300,000 more than the fee put forward by Bundesliga outfit Mainz 05.
Both Son and Hwang, at Tottenham Hotspur and Wolves respectively, have benefitted immensely from the higher standards of competition in European football. And the South Korea duo believe Cho can take his game to a whole-new level by following in their footsteps.
Celtic keen on signing South Korea’s World Cup ace Cho Gue-Sung
“I have been living in Europe for about seven or eight years now. Coming to Europe means that I have become a better player,” says Hwang; having joined Wolverhampton Wanderers in a £14 million deal from Red Bull Salzburg.
“No matter which teams (the K-League’s best players) go to, they will show enough ability. The more players playing in Europe, the stronger the competitiveness. I hope that many players will come to Europe by doing well in the K-League in the future.”
Cho Gue-Sung scored twice for South Korea at the Qatar World Cup. The 24-year-old has already expressed his interest in securing a move to Europe sooner rather than later. And Son believes that Cho’s new-found experience of life on the biggest of stages can prepare him well for a fresh challenge in Europe.
“Gue-Sung experienced the World Cup. I believe that this is definitely helpful in developing players,” Son adds. “I hope you (they) won’t be afraid of the stage challenge.”
Cho’s fellow South Korea international Oh Hyeon-Gyu – a striker at Suwon Samsung Bluewings – admits he that he too is keen on a move to Celtic. Postecoglou’s league leaders have reportedly submitted a £1.75 million bid.
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