Song Jong-guk, Ahn Jung-hwan seem to nestle in England

Debut to European leagues by Song Jong-guk(23) and Ahn Jung-hwan(26), star players of 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, is being processed.

The agents and the members of the clubs have gone to Europe and discuss deeply with some big league clubs for the two players to advance to England. So it makes an expectation of the first Korean player in Premier League in near future.

Pusan Icons, which Song Jong Kuk belongs to, sent Choi Man-hee, the Vice President, with Chang Young-Cheol, the Managing Director of Prime Sports to Europe.

They will visit the clubs that have shown the intention to attract Song Jong-guk, and listen to their detail plans for final decision. Up to now, five or six clubs in Premier League and Dutch club, such as Arsenal, Tottenham, Aston Villa, Southampton and a Dutch club showed their intention to attract him.

Pusan Icons has not yet decided to send Song Jong-guk, however, the club has a internal principle to transfer or lease him for long term benefits if conditions are satisfied. So the result of the discussion is focused.

Ahn Jung-hwan who is under dispute with Perugia in Serie A (the first league) in Italia shows a symptom to play in England.

Ahn Jong-bok, the president of E-players that is Ahn Jung-hwan’s agent will go to Italia at 4th of August to discuss with the President of Perugia to seek for the solution. Perugia persuades Ahn Jung-hwan to come back the club with a proposal that the team will search for other club for him to be transferred. If Mr. Ahn Jong-bok confirms genuine intention of the club, Ahn Jung-hwan’s playing in Europe will be processed smoothly.

Ahn Jung-hwan’s party pursues discussion with Blackburn of England besides Perugia and the discussion is at final stage. Perugia is also proposed to transfer by West Ham in England.

stt77@donga.com