The doors at Celtic Park seem ready to swing open for Yang Hyun-Jun following a productive meeting with his club chief, marking a turning point in what could be a £2.1 million switch to the Glasgow giants. [RecordSport]
Yang’s tenacity seems to have borne fruit, as his current employer, Gangwon CEO Kim Byung-ji, has shifted his stance, now willing to consider Celtic’s overture.
The 21-year-old South Korean sensation had pursued intense face-to-face discussions with Kim, seeking a clear path to Celtic Park. Initially, the Gangwon leadership was reluctant about a mid-season departure, but it appears the tables have turned, thanks to Yang’s commitment to the cause.
CEO Kim said in a statement to the Chosun publication in South Korea , “I have met with Yang. I still believe in the skills he has. However, we have to consider the impact of the current situation on the club as well as on the player himself. This is a positive message. A contract is only possible when the details are negotiated. No one knows what will happen in the middle of the process. However, both clubs and players are reviewing it positively.”
A Gangwon representative further affirmed Celtic’s offer, revealing, “On the 5th, CEO Kim Byeong-ji met with Yang Hyun-Jun and had a candid conversation. We decided to completely review the policy of no summer transfers. The misunderstanding between the players and the club has also been resolved.”
Yang’s persistence seems to have cleared the fog surrounding the summer transfer policy, and a spirit of mutual respect has reportedly been restored. “A full review means that we decided to positively consider Celtic’s proposal,” the official added.
Yang’s determination to don the green and white hoops was evident in his readiness to renounce his salary at Gangwon to secure his dream transfer to Celtic. This act has appeared to break the public stalemate and led to Wednesday morning’s summit, which seems to have paved the way for his much-desired move.
The recruitment department at Celtic Park, who scouted this player long before Brendan Rodgers returned to his managerial role, seem to have scored a victory. With Rodgers giving the green light to the deal, Yang now looks primed to join a squad already strengthened by recent acquisitions of Norwegian talent Odin Thiago Holm and Aussie marvel Marco Tilio.
