By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
South Korean international Lee Chun-soo's talks on his transfer to the English Premier League (EPL) faces a crossroad although the new season has kicked off.
Ahead of the Asian Cup in July, the 26-year-old was expected to become South Korea's fifth export to the English league following Park Ji-sung of Manchester United, Lee Young-pyo of Tottenham Hotspur, Seol Ki-hyeon of Reading FC and Lee Dong-gook of Middlesbrough.
In addition, LG Electronics' sponsorship deal with Fulham seemed likely to back his move to England.
However, the Ulsan Tigers striker now finds himself at a standstill.
Fulham, considered the top contender, has backtracked from seeking the South Korean footballer recently.
Manager Chris Coleman, who was optimistic of Lee, was fired last April and new boss Lawrie Sanchez has shown more interest in Northern Ireland players he once coached.
Lee's high transfer fee also clogs his road to the Premiership.
Ulsan has suggested 1.2 million pounds ($2.4 million) for Lee's transfer fee, which made the league's oldest team reluctant to move forward with the negotiations.
Although Lee's side has allegedly negotiated with two or three clubs of the EPL, nothing new is expected to break by the transfer deadline on August 31.
``We have about 20 days left. Something can happen before Aug. 31,'' Tigers vice president Kim Hyung-yong said in a media interview.
He added: ``However, based on experience, it takes about one month to complete a deal but we have not had contact with the team. It is getting harder as time progresses.''
With the talks lingering, speculation of him moving to the J-League is arising.
Lee, one of South Korea's top stars at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, has said that he would like to prepare for the global football event in South Africa in 2010 by playing in an international league.
Though several Japanese clubs intended to recruit him late last year, he has been negative on playing in Japan, turning down offers.
But if the forward, who had little success with Spain's Real Sociedad and Numancia from 2003 to 2005, fails to reappear on the European stage, there exists a chance of him choosing the Japanese league to motivate and refresh himself.