Fulham will reportedly battle several other clubs in the race to sign South Korean striker Hwang Ui-jo, available for a bargain £4 million this summer.
According to Daily Mail, Fulham have joined the race to snap up Hwang Ui-jo, with Bordeaux demanding just £4 million for the South Korean striker. The 29-year-old has entered the final year of his contract and is keen on joining a Premier League club, with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest involved in a transfer tussle with the Cottagers for his signature.
Hwang Ui-jo has a respectable record in Ligue 1 since joining Bordeaux from Japanese club Gamba Osaka in 2019. He netted 11 goals from 32 outings last season as Bordeaux finished rock-bottom of Ligue 1, and 12 from 36 in the campaign prior to that. The South Korean international has also bagged 15 goals for his country.
Hwang has been Bordeaux’s top scorer in each of the last two seasons. But with the French club relegated at the end of last season, the 29-year-old striker is ostensibly not keen on remaining in Ligue 2 and is pushing for an exit. A transfer would be positive for Bordeaux’s finances considering the player’s hefty wages and the cash-strapped French club’s need to raise funds to initiate their rebuild in the second tier.
While Bordeaux require funds urgently, they will hold out for £4 million in transfer fees to part ways with the South Korean striker, having recently rejected a £2 million offer from Wolves. It remains to be seen whether the West Midlands club will respond with a counter offer, but the scenario has left the door open for Fulham to jump in and steal a march on their Premier League rivals.
The Cottagers are looking to reinforce their attacking ranks as they aim to secure survival in the Premier League following a positive start to the new season by earning a credible 2-2 draw against Liverpool last weekend. Hwang could fit the bill perfectly for Fulham as he is available on the cheap.
The South Korean international can operate anywhere along the front-line – something that will undoubtedly appeal to Fulham boss Marco Silva. The Bordeaux ace is a very decent player, and at 29, Hwang is at the peak of his powers.
In addition to Hwang, the newly-promoted outfit is in advanced talks with AS Roma winger Justin Kluivert, as well as Bayern Munich’s Joshua Zirkzee. Fulham are also closing in on signing former Arsenal and Chelsea winger Willian, who recently terminated his contract with Corinthians and is keen on a return to Europe.
