Rangers are reportedly making a late push to sign South Korea World Cup star and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors striker Cho Gue-sung from under the noses of rivals Celtic.
That’s according to reputable transfer journalist Alan Nixon, who has made the claim on his official Patreon account.
The Sun journalist is claiming that Rangers are going ‘head-to-head’ with their Old Firm rivals regarding the player with Rangers now ‘trying harder’ to convince Cho Gue-sung than Celtic currently are.
Cho Gue-sung impressed at the winter World Cup in Qatar with South Korea and the big striker scored a double for his country as they were defeated 3-2 by Ghana in the group stages.
Having scored six goals in 20 appearances for his country, the 6ft2 striker is one of the highest rated players in the K-League and has scored 16 goals in 45 games since joining Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in 2020.
Rangers to battle Celtic for Cho Gue-sung?
Rangers have never signed a player from South Korea whilst Celtic have had the likes of midfielder Ki Sung-yueng and right-back Cha Du-ri on their books before.
The Parkhead side also have a substantial East Asian contingent at the club with January signing Tomoki Itawa becoming the sixth Japanese player to sign for the club under Ange Postecoglou.
All of this points to Celtic having the upper hand over Cho Gue-sung with Football Scotland – who believe a £3m bid has been lodged at Parkhead – claiming our Old Firm rivals remain in “pole position”.
However, they have also appeared to confirm Rangers’ interest although the Ibrox club are not said to have lodged any official offer as things stand.
Rangers and Celtic aren’t the only interested parties either, with Bundesliga side Mainz mentioned and ex-Man United midfielder Park Ji-sung in Europe to negotiate a move to the continent.
Meanwhile, a medical is reportedly imminent for the first signing of the Michael Beale era.
