English clubs set sights on Park

Korean national team striker Park Chu-young could join former captain Park Ji-sung in the Premier League next season.

Several English clubs have opened talks with him about a possible summer move.

In the European football leagues, the summer is the time when clubs sign new players and ship others out.

In a recent summer transfer rumor, the AS Monaco striker is linked to Tottenham Hotspur.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is desperate to add some attacking prowess to his squad and is very keen on signing the 25-year-old Korean, according to reports.

The news came as several reports suggest that the Korean international is also being chased by Liverpool and Bolton.

In a disappointing year for AS Monaco, the 182-cm-tall striker was a standout performer, netting 12 goals. After the 2010-2011 season, Monaco has been relegated from the top French division.

Park is believed to be keen on a move to the Premier League and said earlier that he’d like a new challenge at a big club.

Park has two years left on his Monaco contract but says he wants to experience Champions League football and major tournaments.

“I’d like to have a new challenge on a stronger team capable of competing in bigger European-wide tournaments like the Champions League,” said Park.

Park debuted in the K-League in 2005. He won the Player of the Year and Best Young Player awards in his debut season.

He joined the French league after signing a four-year deal with AS Monaco in 2008. He notched five goals and six assists for Monaco in his debut season and scored nine goals in the 2009-2010 season.

The striker is currently training with the Korean national team. The 25-year-old took the captain armband when Park Ji-sung of Manchester United retired from the national team earlier this year.

Last week, he helped Korea beat Serbia 2-1 at Seoul World Cup Stadium, scoring the opener with a brilliant header.

He is looking to continue to impress European scouts when Korea plays another friendly against Ghana on Tuesday.

Manager Cho Kwang-rae and his side are preparing for the 2014 World Cup qualifier, which starts in September.

Cho is expected to deploy the captain as the sole striker in his 4-1-4-1 formation against the African powerhouse.

Korea plays Ghana at Jeonju World Cup Stadium at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

By Oh Kyu-wook (596story@heraldcorp.com)