Celtic target Yang Hyun-jun has refused to give up hope of a move to Parkhead this summer - as he claimed Gangwon has backed down on their pledge to "actively help" him land a move to Europe.
Brendan Rodgers wants to sign the 21-year-old this summer but the K-League side are refusing to allow the key star to leave at this stage with the club in the midst of a relegation scrap - sitting second bottom of the pile with just two wins in 19 league games following a 1-0 defeat to fellow strugglers Incheon. In the wake of the latest defeat, the winger was put on the spot about his future at the club and asked if he still hoped to land a move to the Scottish Premiership.
A move to Major League Soccer side Minnesota United collapsed last year and Yang insists he was told by the club he could leave should an offer from a European side come in. He has doubled down on his exit demand, believing he will better adjust to life at Celtic should he leave now and enjoy pre-season under Rodgers.
Speaking post match, he said: "It is an opportunity that does not come easily (to join Celtic). I told the CEO, general manager, and coach that I wanted to advance.
"Europe is said to be easier to adapt to in the summer. Of course, the team is in a difficult situation, but when an offer came from the United States last season, the goal was to go to Europe.
"So I didn't go to America and stayed with the team. Also, if an offer comes from Europe, the club said they would actively help.
"Celtic is a good offer, so I want to go. I have to do my best as a member of Gangwon. But I think the desire to go will still be there."
And the Korean Under-23 star has told Gangwon bosses he’ll stump up his own cash to break the stalemate. Yang said: “I want to go to Celtic this summer. I hope Gangwon will allow me to transfer. If the transfer fee isn’t enough, I’ll even give my salary. I hope Gangwon will allow it.”
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