Would a loan move not be the more sensible option for both Celtic and Oh Hyeon-gyu? It looks like we’ll never know as a £4.2m deal nears completion with the player desperate to make the move to Belgium…
As reported earlier on The Celtic Star it appears that Belgian side Genk are in a hurry to secure the signature of Celtic striker and have tabled, according to Sky Sports, a £4million big for the big South Korean.
Having paid £2.5m for Oh, and with the player dropping out of the first team squad in the closing months of the season, Celtic may well be tempted to cash in on the player now. However is that actually the correct call or should Celtic be looking at a loan deal to see how the striker, who clearly has bags of potential, can develop during a loan move to the ambitious Belgian club.
It is fair to say that the South Korean international has struggled for game time since his £2.5 million move form Suwon Samsung bluewings in January 2023. However he has acquitted himself well in the games he’s has played scoring a decent 12 goals in 47 games. A chunk of those appearances coming as a substitute.
OH is a big guy who can handle the physical side of the Scottish game and he can hold the ball up, as well as find the net. Yes he’s still a bit raw, but at 23 he has potential and will only improve.
Whether that’s at Celtic is another matter entirely especially with the Genk attractive offer of £4.2m apparently on Michael Nicholson’s table awaiting sign-off.
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Celtic striker Oh has agreed personal terms with KRC Genk as he looks set to leave the club.
The Belgians are looking to seal a deal worth £4.2M + bonuses, talks ongoing with Celtic.
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But for me it would be rather foolish by the club to let him go at this moment in time. Yes he’s not guaranteed first team football at Celtic, but surely a more sensible option would be to loan him out to the interested Belgian club?
A season long loan would be of great benefit to the player and maybe even the club. Oh would get great experience and game time at a decent level, and the club would be getting back a more all rounded player and an enhanced valuation if they wished to sell.
Of course things might not go as well as hoped for Oh in a loan spell in Belgium and Celtic would then see the interest in Genk spending £4m evaporate. So it’s more than likely that Celtic will accept the offer but will also insert a decent sell-on clause into the contract that could make the club further money down the line.
There’s a top player in there somewhere and that’s why this Belgians are so keen to get this deal over the line. And as it looks very much like happening now is as good a time as any to wish Big Oh all the very best.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
He’s utter garbage.
He’s total gash.sell him.idah is heads and shoulders above him and kyogo in my opinion
The right and most sensible approach taken by all concerned imo?
You have to take into account that Rodgers has had 6 months working with OH and simply doesn’t see a place for him in the squad next season?
And not a rushed decision taken either, so doesn’t see a place either for OH in the longer term either, so a loan would be pointless?
Currently we could be looking at maybe kyogo and idah as central strikers next season with Maeda able to fill in the position if required to do so also?
And that’s without knowing what vata contract decision is going to be yet?
So fail to see where OH would fit in, either on short or long-term planning of the squad that Rodgers will be hopefully looking to form?