Published : Aug. 30, 2012 - 19:47
With the summer transfer window for European clubs closing Aug. 31, the focus is on the future of Park Chu-young, a South Korean international on Arsenal, in the English Premier League.
The 27-year-old forward is out of favor with the club and in a situation to move. Manager Arsene Wenger recently changed his number from 9 to 30, a move effectively to make him a bench warmer.
Park Chu-young. (Yonhap News)
Three clubs are reportedly interested in Park: Norwich City and Fulham of the English Premier League, and Celta Vigo of the Spanish Primeria Division.
Noticias Celta.com, a Celta Vigo-based news media, reported Wednesday that Norwich City and Fulham complicate Park’s option.
It is the first time that Norwich City has been mentioned as a bidder for Park. Created in 1902, the club has been promoted to the Premiership as the runner up of the second-tier English Championship last season.
According to Spanish sports newspaper Marca, Celta Vigo also favors taking Park on a loan deal initially, with the option to make that permanent if he impresses. The club is known to have kept an eye on him since June.
Fulham wants to release midfielder Clint Dempsey and take Park instead. The Sun, a British newspaper, reported last Friday that the club offered 3.5 million pounds in transfer fees.
On the contrary, a Korean-language sports daily, quoting an unnamed source, reported Thursday that Arsenal has asked Park to stay for six more months. It means Park should use the next transfer window in the coming winter, not this summer.
Conflicting reports are still flying just a day before the transfer window shuts, indicating Park faces four options: stay with Arsenal or move to Celta Vigo, Fulham and Norwich City.
Park joined the Premier League wearing the Arsenal uniform Aug. 31 last year, the last day of the summer transfer season.
By Chun Sung-woo (
swchun@heraldcorp.com)