Celtic have been very active in the January transfer window. Deals for Yuki Kobayashi, Alistair Johnston and Tomoki Iwata were announced in December itself, and there could be more to come this month. One position where the Hoops might be in urgent need of strengthening is striker, with Giorgos Giakoumakis potentially on his way out of Parkhead very soon.
Cho Gue-sung is one of the most exciting names that Celtic have been linked with in recent times in terms of strikers. The South Korean international was a standout at the World Cup, scoring twice against Ghana and impressing with his overall play.
He has been on top form at club level as well. According to stats from Transfermarkt, he scored 21 goals and provided 5 assists in 35 appearances in the 2022 campaign.
Thus, someone like Cho could be a solid addition to this current Celtic squad and has all the physical attributes required to be a replacement for someone like Giakoumakis, if the Greek striker does indeed leave. But it looks like the Hoops have been left behind in the race to sign the South Korean star.
Bundesliga club launch £3 million bid for Celtic target
As reported by The Scottish Sun, Mainz have become the first club to make an official offer for Cho, according to reports in South Korea. The Bundesliga club appear to be offering around £3 million for the Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors striker.
Mainz could very well be a more attractive destination for Cho as well. On one hand, there is the glitz and glamour that comes with playing in the Bundesliga. On the other hand, there is no guarantee that he will be starting regularly for Celtic ahead of Kyogo. The German club do not have a reliable goalscorer at this point though.
It remains to be seen how things turn out in the race to sign Cho, but at the moment, it does feel like Celtic might be trailing.