CELTIC have been linked with a FOURTH raid on South Korea’s top football talent this year.
Striker Oh Hyeon-hyu was the first to arrive in January while midfielder Kwon Hyeon-kyu and winger Yang Hyun-jun joined the champions in the summer.
Now the Hoops are eyeing a move for Jung Ho-Yeon of Gwangju, according to a report in local sports media outlet FOOTBALLiST.
ON THE RUN…Oh Hyeon-gyu is challenged by Joel Nouble in Celtic’s 3-0 win at Livingston.
The 23-year-old middle-of-the-park operator was influential in his side’s promotion to the K-League last season and he has turned out 29 times in the top-flight.
Clubs from Germany, France and Spain are believed to be monitoring the player who has stated he would be open to a move to Europe.
The defensive midfielder is rated in the £400,000 bracket and there could be a move to join his countrymen at Parkhead when the window reopens in January.
Scotland’s title kings have been concentrating on strengthening their midfield options since the end of last season. Tomoki Iwata, who originally joined on loan from Yokohama F Marinos at the turn of the year, signed a five-year deal in June.
Brendan Rodgers also brought in Norwegian Odin Holm from Valarenga while Portuguese Under-21 prospect Paulo Bernardo agreed a 12-month temporary switch from Benfica.
DEBUT BHOY…Odin Holm tussles with Kilmarnock’s David Watson as the Norwegian midfielder makes his first competitive start at Rugby Park in August.
Kwon arrived in a double deal with Yang, but the anchorman is still awaiting for his competitive debut.
Skipper Callum McGregor, Japanese international Reo Hatate and the impressive Matt O’Riley have also signed extensions to their terms in recent times.
Any new move for another player for the team’s engine room could cast doubts over the future of David Turnbull who is out of contract next summer.
