The Korea Herald

지나쌤

Turkish club eyes Park Ji-sung

By Korea Herald

Published : May 23, 2012 - 19:26

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A Turkish football club is looking to pick up Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung, sparking a media frenzy here.

Fotomac, a Turkish sports daily, reported that Galatasaray S.K. was looking to import Park and even disclosed specific numbers.

According to the paper, the Turkish champions were ready to offer Park a one-time payment of 3.5 million euros ($4.4 million) with a salary of 2.7 million euros per year. The report stated that Kia Motors was sponsoring the hire to help promote Kia in the local market, which Kia officially denied on Tuesday.

“Galatasaray manager Fatih Terim personally delivered the list of potential purchases to President Unal Aysal and among the names included was Park Ji-sung,” reported Vatan, another Turkish daily.
Manchester United player Park Ji-sung (left) receives a gift from a Thai student during a press conference for the Asian Dream Cup 2012 charity soccer match in Bangkok on Tuesday. (AFP-Yonhap News) Manchester United player Park Ji-sung (left) receives a gift from a Thai student during a press conference for the Asian Dream Cup 2012 charity soccer match in Bangkok on Tuesday. (AFP-Yonhap News)

“Other potential candidates include Kaka, Dimitar Berbatov and the club is expected to spend 50 million euros in player purchases this summer.”

The daily quoted Terim praising Park as a “great player.”

However, Park on Tuesday reiterated his wish to stay at Old Trafford and add to his eight-year legacy at the club.

“I haven’t received an official offer, but it is always a good thing for a player to be wanted by a team,” said Park, who is currently in Thailand to promote the Asian Dream Cup.

Park’s contract is slated to end after the 2012-2013 season and his performance thus far has sparked rumors that Sir Alex Ferguson might possibly dump the Korean football superstar. Such rumors have stemmed a web of speculation as to where Park could go.

Fox Sports reported of rumors that both Real Betis of Spain and Germany’s Schalke are also interested in the 31-year-old.

By Robert  Lee (robert@heraldcorp.com)