Hamburg persist in chasing Koo

Hamburg have made a third bid to sign Wolfsburg’s South Korean midfielder Koo Ja-Cheol, according to a report.

The 23-year-old South Korea international has previously been chased by Hamburg sporting director Frank Arnesen, who reportedly made a move for him in January 2011 as well as last season’s winter break.

According to Bild, Hamburg have revived their interest in Koo, who enjoyed a successful loan spell with Augsburg in the second half of the 2011-12 season, netting five goals in 15 appearances as the club avoided the drop.

Koo moving to Hamburg would unite him with fellow South Korean Son Heung-Min, who labelled his compatriot as someone who is ‘very strong and could certainly help us a lot’.

Hamburg boss Thorsten Fink said the midfielder is ‘an interesting player’.

The former Jeju United man told reporters in his homeland last week that he had interest for next season from three clubs; Wolfsburg, Augsburg and an unidentified third outfit, which appears to be Hamburg.

“I know Augsburg wants to sign me in a permanent transfer while Wolfsburg wants me to come back and prepare for next season with them,” Koo said.

“I also heard there is a third club that wants to sign me. But I haven’t yet confirmed my future and I need some time to think about it.”