Augsburg unlikely to make move for Sunderland striker Ji Dong-won

GERMAN side Augsburg have confirmed that they are unlikely to make a January move for Sunderland frontman Ji Dong-won.

Ji is expected to attract attention from the Bundesliga in the transfer window after failing to make an appearance for the Black Cats since Gus Poyet’s arrival at the Stadium of Light.

But as the Gazette reported on Saturday, Augsburg – where Ji netted five goals in 17 appearances last season during a successful loan spell – are likely to wait until the summer before contemplating a move for the South Korean, who is about to enter the final six months of his Sunderland contract.

Augsburg general manager Stefan Reuter said: “It is no secret that Ji had a great season playing for Augsburg.

“But I do not want to talk so much about new players.

“Basically, we are keeping our eyes and ears open, but I’m not a fan of transfers during the winter break.”

While Augsburg appear to have ruled themselves out of a January move, Ji’s stock remains high in Germany after last season’s loan spell.

VfB Stuttgart, SC Freiburg and Borrusia Monchengladbach were all interested in signing the 22-year-old on a permanent deal last summer, while Sunderland rejected a £5m offer from Borussia Dortmund after ex-boss Paolo Di Canio believed the former Chunnam Dragons man would develop into a big asset for the Black Cats.

via Augsburg unlikely to make move for Sunderland striker Ji – Shields Gazette.