Cho Gue sung to Celtic transfer blow as Bundesliga side lead the race for South Korea star after bumper offer

Ange Postecoglou has been keen to add to his attacking options this month for the Premiership title fight.

Celtic's bid to land Cho Gue-sung has been dealt a blow with Bundesliga outfit Mainz 05 reportedly launching a £3million bid for the .South Korea World Cup star.

Gue-sung has stated that Ange Postecoglou's side have been in touch over a January switch, with talks over move gathering pace with contract rebel Giorgos Giakoumakis bring linked with a move away from the club after failing to agree terms with Celtic on a new-and-improved deal. Gue-sung was billed as the man to come in for the Greek goalscorer, and after a superb time in Qatar which saw him become the first Asian player in history to score a brace at a World Cup finals with his double against Ghana.

Currently at Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, who came second by just three points in the K-League this season, his club said last week that they were still unsure over whether they would sanction a move for Sung in the winter window despite the increased interest in his talents.

Former Manchester United legend Park Ji-Sung - their technical director - said that the move needed to be right for Sung and the club. It appears a move to the Bundesliga could be on the cards.

Mainz, who are in tenth place in the Bundesliga, have made an official offer of around £3 million and are hoping they can persuade the frontman to come to the Rhineland club. They already have South Korean international Lee Jae-sung in their squad and Mainz are hoping that can be a factor in a deal.

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