Wolverhampton Wanderers in talks with Hwang Ui-jo: Reports

Hwang Ui-jo, left, and Hwang Hee-chan [AFP, REUTERS/YONHAP]

Wolverhampton Wanderers could be making a push to sign Bordeaux forward Hwang Ui-jo, potentially reuniting the Korean national team attacking pair of Hwang Ui-jo and Hwang Hee-chan in the Premier League next season.

According to journalist Ekrem Konur, who specializes in European football transfer news, Wolves are currently in talks with Hwang Ui-jo, Bordeaux's top scorer for the last two seasons.

Hwang Ui-jo is thought to be at the top of Bordeaux's must-sell list as the cash-strapped French club looks to quickly raise funds to meet restructuring targets. He has been linked to French club Nantes and Premier League side West Ham in recent weeks, but neither deal has materialized with the Ligue 2 season now already underway.

Bordeaux were relegated to Ligue 2 this season after finishing in the relegation zone in Ligue 1 at the end of last season, and then faced further relegation to the third-tier Championnat National due to financial difficulties. The club successfully appealed that decision, but only because creditors accepted a restructuring plan that included the sale of assets — likely including Hwang Ui-jo.

If Hwang Ui-jo did move to Wolves, he would be reunited with attacking midfielder Hwang Hee-chan. The two Hwangs, alongside Tottenham Hotspur striker Son Heung-min, are the backbone of the Korean national team attacking line and could prove a hugely effective partnership in the Premier League.

A move to Wolves would also make the midlands club the first Premier League team to have three Korean players on their books, with Jeong Sang-bin currently on loan to Grasshopper Club Zürich.

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]