Soccer Football - International Friendly - South Korea v Egypt - Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, South Korea - June 14, 2022 South Korea's Ui-Jo Hwang celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji
Nottingham Forest could be set to miss out on Bordeaux striker Hwang Ui-jo, according to French outlet L’Equipe (via Sport Witness).
The lowdown: Wanted man
Following the relegation of Bordeaux from Ligue 1, the French club were forced to cash in on Sekou Mera to Southampton due to financial issues and it appears as though Hwang is among those also potentially on the way out.
Previously linked to West Ham, Marseille and Nantes, the 29-year-old South Korea international isn’t short on suitors and having entered the final 12 months of a deal, a move could feasibly be on the cards.
However, having previously been at the forefront of the options for Hwang, now it seems as if Forest may struggle to add the frontman to the City Ground ranks…
The latest: Stumbling block
As per L’Equipe, translated by SW, Nottingham Forest could miss out on the signing of the four-cap star due to a plan to use Olympiacos as a loan destination.
It’s claimed that Hwang is ‘not enthralled’ by the idea of representing the Greek Super League outfit, a plan Reds’ owner Evangelos Marinakis has in mind following a €5million (£4.2million) offer.
The report also states that Wolves are keen, whilst Forest ‘positioned itself’ for the man described as ‘brave’ by ex-manager Jean-Louis Gasset, but he would ‘not be thrilled’ by moving to Olympiacos.
The verdict: Worth his place
Although signing the South Korean frontman for the mooted fee would have to be regarded as a bargain piece of business, the prospect of spending a season out on loan aged 29 isn’t one that should excite Forest fans.
That said, last season, Hwang – who shares similar stylistic traits to Callum Wilson, Luis Suarez and Teemu Pukki (FBref) – scored 11 times and provided two assists in 32 Ligue 1 outings for a side that finished at the foot of the table, a mightily impressive return in the circumstances.
Albeit the City Ground attacking department has already been bolstered to the tune of Taiwo Awoniyi, Emmanuel Dennis and potentially Neal Maupay this summer, adding the £6.3million valued forward to Steve Cooper’s squad would still be a welcome boost if the current issue can be overcome.
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