Park Chu-young on verge of Celta Vigo move

By Jung Min-ho

Korean forward Park Chu-young appears close to agreeing move to Spanish club Celta Vigo.

The 2012 London Olympic bronze medalist was in Vigo on Thursday for a medical, Korean media reported, quoting the Spanish press.

Assuming he passes the medical, he is expected to finalize a one-year-loan deal from Arsenal with an option to sign him permanently if the 27-year-old lives up to expectations.

The future of the striker, who ended up warming the Gunners’ bench for most of last season, remains uncertain despite interest from other teams including Fulham as a 4 million pound asking price was set. However, the South Londoners have decided to take Dimitar Berbatov from Manchester United instead, leaving Arsenal short on time with the summer transfer window shut at 8 a.m. Saturday (Korean time).

The former AS Monaco forward had great hopes as he joined one of the most successful English clubs having won 13 league titles, 10 FA Cups and two League Cups. But Park appeared in just one Premier League game, two Champions League matches and three outings in the FA Cup last season. Boosted by Olympic glory where he earned exemption from military service as well as a medal, the striker finally looks set for another opportunity in Europe.

Celta Vigo are back in the Spanish first division after spending five years in the country’s second tier and are looking to add firepower to help their chances of survival, having lost the opening two games of the new season.