Transfer rumors ramp up as more Korean players look to Europe

From left: Cho Gue-sung, Kim Ji-soo, Kim Min-jae and Lee Kang-in

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors striker Cho Gue-sung is the latest Korean player to be linked to a possible European move, with Korean media reporting over the weekend that the World Cup star could be on the move to Championship side Watford.

Korean football news website Footballist reported Saturday that Cho has agreed personal terms with the mid-table Championship club, with Jeonbuk and Watford still to finalize details before an official move is announced.

How accurate the Footballist report is remains unclear, with neither club nor Cho has confirmed the move as of press time. Footballist cited an “official familiar with the situation” as the source.

Cho, 25, came to prominence at last year’s World Cup when he scored two goals against Ghana in a group stage game and became the first ever Korean player to score a brace in a World Cup match.

Cho received offers in January from Scottish Premier Ship side Celtic, Bundesliga team Mainz 05 and Major League Soccer club Minnesota United.

He opted not to move in the January transfer window, staying in Korea for the start of the 2023 K League season with an agreement with Jeonbuk that he would seek a move in the summer.

Cho was the top scorer in the K League last season, with 17 goals to his name, but has been off to a slow start this year with four goals in nine appearances before the June international break.

The potential move to Watford fits with the strategy Cho decided upon after discussions with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors Technical Director and former Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung, who suggested Cho first move to a second-tier European club where he could learn to adapt to European football.

Cho has already completed his mandatory military service, playing for military football club Gimcheon Sangmu from 2021 to 2022, so he is free to pursue an uninterrupted career internationally.

Cho is not the first Korean player to be linked to a European move this summer.

Eighteen-year-old defender Kim Ji-soo is set to sign with Premier League club Brentford later this week, his Korean club Seongnam confirmed last week.

Seongnam Mayor Shin Sang-jin, the current president of Seongnam FC, congratulated Kim on the expected move in a Facebook post.

Kim has just returned from international duty, appearing as the starting center-back for Korea at the U-20 World Cup in Argentina. Korea finished fourth in the tournament.

Kim, who became the youngest player ever to appear in a K League 1 game last year, has been linked with Premier League club Brentford for months, with Seongnam FC confirming earlier this year than an offer was already on the table.

Standing well over 6-feet tall and not afraid to get his hands dirty, Kim has already drawn comparisons to Napoli center-back Kim Min-jae.

Kim Min-jae, already firmly established in Europe, is also expected to move this summer, although where he’ll go remains unclear.

Kim was heavily linked to Manchester United for months leading up to the end of the season, but recent reports have focused more on a possible move to Bayern Munich.

With Kim currently completing his mandatory military basic training and unable to sign a contract until that is completed, it’s unclear whether the Bayern move is the more serious option or an attempt to pressure United in negotiations.

Whether its Bayern, United or a third club, Kim seems guaranteed to move this summer after a hugely successful season in Serie A.

Mallorca’s Lee Kang-in also looks guaranteed to move this summer, with reports last week that PSG were close to reaching a deal for the young midfielder, potentially to replace Lionel Messi.

Lee himself has avoided speculating on the possible move, refusing to comment when asked by reporters while on international duty with the Korean national team.

Like Kim Min-jae, Lee has been highly sought after and is likely to move this summer.

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