Cho Gue-Sung’s agent breaks silence on Celtic transfer as clubs embroiled in talks over major stumbling block
THE Cho Gue-sung to Celtic transfer saga continues to tick along and now the player's agent has shed some light over the move.
SunSport exclusively revealed in November that the Premiership champions were joining the race for the South Korea star's services.
The Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors forward impressed onlookers at the World Cup in Qatar and confirmed after his country was eliminated that there was concrete interest from a number of European clubs.
Celtic were also given a green light from Jeonbuk technical director Park Ji-Sung, as he revealed plans to allow the 24-year-old to pick from the options on the table.
However, a major stumbling block has emerged despite the fact both Celtic and Jeonbuk are now believed to be in talks.
The player's agent said, as reported by Naver Sports: "We are currently discussing with the Scottish Celtic club [sic]", and also denied rumours linking his client with an immediate move to Galatasaray, as was reported in Korea.
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The same report also states that Celtic's offer for Cho "did not meet expectations".
That could pave the way for some of the other interested parties such as Turkish giants Fenerbahce and French side Rennes to swoop in with a better proposal.
Jeonbuk want a fee of £2.2million for Gue-sung, according to Naver.
The 6ft 2in striker scored 21 goals in 35 games in all competitions for Jeonbuk and army team Gimcheon Sangmu last year.
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Cho had moved there on loan to complete his mandatory military service before returning to his parent club for the second half of the season.
He's picked up 20 caps for South Korea, netting six times, including two at the World Cup.
Cho himself told reporters out in Qatar: “There is interest from European clubs.
“After playing against world-class players at the World Cup, I want to advance to Europe.
“I want to go there and grow more because I met players from Europe and South America here.
“The desire to meet again in club football has grown stronger.”
Meanwhile, his dad added: “He needs a club that will help him adapt and settle to a new lifestyle on and off the pitch.
“I know his agent is in the process of finalising negotiations regarding his transfer overseas.
“He will certainly go to Europe now.
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