By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
Troubled striker Lee Chun-soo is close to signing with the Chunnam Dragons.
``We are in talks with Lee,'' the team's official told The Korea Times.
``Manager Park Hang-seo discussed the recruitment with the team's top executives.
``We are waiting for a response from Lee's side on our proposal.''
The 2005 season's Most Valuable Player (MVP), who agreed to a four-year deal with Feyenoord in the Dutch league in August 2007, returned to the K-League on a one-year loan to the Suwon BlueWings in July 2008 after a lackluster one-season spell ― no goals in 12 appearances ― in the Netherlands.
But he failed to live up to expectations, finding the target just once in four games, and worse, was suspended indefinitely in December by the BlueWings for missing team practice and failing to complete a rehabilitation program.
``Lee is a player who can contribute to our team,'' said the 50-year-old Dragons boss who was a coach for the national team at the 2002 World Cup.
In addition, Suwon, which still has the rights to Lee until June, welcomed Chunnam's interest in the 27-year-old forward.
``It is a good idea for Lee to restart his career with another team,'' BlueWings manager Cha Bum-kun said.
Both Chunnam and Feyenoord have agreed to extend his loan period.
As for his loan fee, the Dragons are reported to be paying a total of 600 million won to Suwon and Feyenoord.
Although the process appears to be progressing well, something is clogging Lee's passage to Chunnam.
The low-budgeted Dragons, trying to strike a one-year deal, has asked Lee ― who played in Spain's La Liga with Real Sociedad and Numancia from 2003 to 2005 ― to play for the first six months without salary, which means he cannot earn any performance bonuses.
``We believe that he is far from game-fit, despite his claim that he has taken private training sessions,'' the team said.
``After finding how determined he is during the period, we will talk about his salary in accordance with his performance.''
Lee's salary was unofficially about 900 million won annually at the Dutch side, and he received 500 million won from Suwon.
The former Ulsan Tiger has appeared in 104 matches and scored 37 goals and recorded 24 assists during his career to date. He has been capped 79 times and scored 10 goals.
The three-time FA Cup-winning Dragons, founded in 1995, finished ninth last season with an 8-5-13 record.