Celtic have been linked with a move for Jeonbuk striker Gue-sung Cho in recent times, with a new centre-forward addition believed to be on the agenda for the Parkhead giants in January.
What’s the word?
According to The Scottish Sun, the Old Firm outfit have joined the race for the 24-year-old ahead of the market re-opening next month, with the South Korea international said to be attracting attention from a number of European sides.
The 6 foot 2 marksman has since teased an exit from his current club after revealing his desire to make the move to Europe, while the Hoops are believed to be on the lookout for a new number nine, particularly amid the uncertainty surrounding Giorgos Giakoumakis.
Journalist Pete O’Rourke – speaking to GIVEMESPORT – has now provided his verdict on the Glasgow side’s potential new recruit, following the player’s impressive displays for his country at the World Cup in recent weeks.
The transfer insider stated: “He’s looked good for South Korea, scored a couple of goals against Ghana. He’s a physical player as well, he can score goals from aerial areas, and I think he’s definitely proven to be a real handful for defenders.“
Deadly trio
As O’Rourke alluded to, the highly-coveted sensation showed his class with his standout displays in Qatar, notably netting a stunning double against Ghana with two clinical, second-half headers in that eventual 3-2 defeat.
That ruthlessness in front of goal has also been evident at club level in recent times for Cho, with the exciting talent having scored 21 goals and provided five assists in just 35 games in all competitions during the latest 2021/22 campaign.
The former FC Anyang man – who also boasts six goals in just 20 games for his country – boasts an overall club career tally of 51 goals in just 133 games at senior level, proving himself a truly reliable presence in front of goal.
Not only a player who plays with a “little bit of swagger” – as per journalist Jason Lee – the one-time Gimcheon Sangmu man also offers a real focal point in attack when leading the line, as per O’Rourke’s assessment.
The imposing ace could well prove to be the man to spearhead the attack for Ange Postecoglou’s side moving forward, with the title-winning coach able to form a potentially deadly trio involving Cho and current star duo, Jota and Kyogo Furuhashi.
Although the latter man has typically played through the middle of late, the diminutive ace could seemingly be shifted out wide to accommodate the more physical Korean, with it still imperative that Kyogo remains in the side such has been his impact in recent times.
The 27-year-old has plundered 31 goals and contributed six assists in 53 games in all competitions for the Hoops to date, including a stunning tally of ten goals in just 13 outings in the Scottish Premiership this season.
The Japan international has proven a truly relentless presence in attack for the champions during his time in Scotland to date, as too has the aforementioned Jota, with the Portuguese dynamo recording a staggering haul of 40 goal involvements in 57 games over the past year or so.
The 23-year-old has particularly impressed with his creative brilliance from the flanks after recording six assists already in the league this season, with Cho no doubt set to thrive on such quality service into the box.
Those three standout forwards have the makings of what could be a truly lethal forward line for Postecoglou, with the aim now to land the Jeonbuk man in the New Year to provide even greater threat to an already flourishing outfit.