16 December 2013 9:43 BORUSSIA DORTMUND have revived their interest in Sunderland striker Ji Dong-won, according to reports in Germany. Last seasonâs Champions League finalists are eyeing a January move for Ji, who has not featured for the Black Cats since Kevin Ballâs final game in charge as caretaker against Manchester United, in October. Ji can talk to clubs on the Continent from next month over a summer move, with his Sunderland contract expiring at the end of the season. But while Sunderland would be owed minimal compensation if the 22-year-old left the Stadium of Light in July, due to his age, a January departure would be financially preferable for the Black Cats. Sunderland would struggle to recoup anywhere near the £5million offer they turned down from Dortmund in the summer though. Dortmund made the bid after the South Korean impressed during a loan spell in the Bundesliga last season with Bavarian outfit Augsburg. But while Sunderland were happy to cash in on a player who had just a year remaining on his contract, the move was vetoed by former head coach Paolo Di Canio, who believed he could mould Ji into a star turn. âIt (the rejected bid) came from me. I was responsible and it should be that way because Iâm the manager,â Di Canio told the Echo in August. âI think he can be crucial for us, especially in a few weeks when the season starts to go forward.â But Ji, who is currently on the sidelines through injury, has not even been included on the bench under Di Canioâs successor Gus Poyet. As the Echo reported earlier this month, Poyet has struggled to find a role for Ji in the side, with several Bundesliga sides keeping tabs on his availability. Poyet said: âHeâs a very good player, but I need to find the opportunity to say to him: âHere you go. Donât try to think too much about how weâre playing, just go out there and playâ. âBut I donât know how to play him because thatâs what he needs.â
I can see that he has ability but he just doesn't seem suited to the English game. There are a load of asians in the bundesliga and they are doing well. He looked good for Augsburg but cant see how he get anywhere near the Dortmund squad
Clearly got some ability if Dortmund have looked at him in two desperate windows. We have a nack of making good players **** and not helping young talent realise their potential.
Do Canio told fanta not to sell didn't he? At least that's what I remember dI canio saying. So Do Canio, the best manager in the world (according to himself) refused a £5m offer fir a player who hardly got played (and was awful when he did) genius!! Has to be one of the worst management decisions I've ever known
Absolutely this. Wouldn't be surprised if he went elsewhere and did really well. We should have taken £5m unless we knew he'd be signing a new contract though. As it stands we'd be lucky to get our £2m back in January given that clubs could wait 6 months and get him for free.
According to Bild, Jurgen Klopp’s football hipsters have agreed terms with Sunderland to sign Ji Dong Won who’s in currently in South Korea nursing an “injury”. Ji Dong Won signed a 3-year-old at the Stadium of Light back in 2011, and this summer the Korean international becomes a free agent again. After being signed by Steve Bruce, the 22-year-old striker has failed to cement a regular starting spot for the Black Cats during his time on Wearside, with the Sunderland #27 have ratcheted up just 23 appearances and two goals for the Black Cats. With his chances at Sunderland being so limited, Ji was loaned out to Augsburg at the back end of last season, where the forward excelled with five goals in 17 matches in the Bundesliga. Those performance allegedly caught the eye of the Borussia Dortmund manager, and now Klopp, after trying to sign Ji in the summer, looks set to scoop up the player in January. Sunderland would like to receive a fee around £5m for Ji, who is currently sat in his homeland nursing an “injury”.
Just had a look at what the German press are saying on this one and there is no talk of a fee of 5 million (not even a fee of 1 pound being mentioned). It looks like Dortmund want him, but at the end of the season and for free. Probably all tactics, but Dortmund have the advantage here. I think it will be a very small fee in Janurary or he lets his contract run out and we get nothing for him in the summer. 5 Million, no chance.
It will be like what's being lined up with Caesar for us, sign him permanently in Jan with the equivalent fee to a 6 month loan fee. It's the most we'll get from any of our contract expiring players imo.
