Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou remarked before the World Cup break he was all set for the January transfer window.
The Australian revealed the pre-planning was so advanced the looming shutdown for Qatar would allow him the chance to get a step ahead for next summer. The 57-year-old's 'never stop' mantra certainly isn't limited to the pitch as Postecoglou consistently seeks a signing edge to take his Celtic side to the next level.
The Parkhead manager prepped supporters at the club's recent AGM for exits of adored stars with Josip Juranovic's future uncertain amid unsuccessful contract talks and the imminent arrival of Canada international Alistair Johnston in a £3.5m deal. The Montreal man will join Yuki Kobayashi - a left-sided central defender who joins from Vissel Kobe after signing a five-year deal at Parkhead.
And a striker appears next on the Postecoglou to-do list with Record Sport revealing Giorgos Giakoumakis is primed for a Parkhead exit after his own discussions over fresh Celtic terms have failed to lead to a new contract. And reports suggest soaring South Korea forward Cho Gue-sung could be the man who replaces Giakoumakis as Kyogo's main competitor to lead the line for the Premiership leaders.
But what kind of player is the 24-year-old? We profile the man who could be the next star to arrive in Glasgow's east end in the coming weeks.
Who is he?
Gue-Sung is an emerging forward who has established himself as the likely talisman for South Korea to dovetail with iconic Tottenham star Son Heung-min. And his rise has accelerated over the past 12 months. The Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors forward is regarded as the next major star who is set for a switch to European football.
He was seconded to Gimcheon Sangmu - South Korea's military team as the forward completed his service for his country. And the step away from Jeonbuk has benefited both player and club. His time with Sangmu allowed Gue-Sung to take his game to the next level and now Jeonbuk are reaping the rewards from a player who netted eight goals in 11 games before joining up with his international team-mates for the World Cup.
And his form has only continued in Qatar as his pair of powerful headers in the 3-2 defeat to Ghana placed him on the radar of onlookers beyond his homeland. South Korea FA vice-president Lee Young-pyo believes the transfer interest for one of the country's rising stars is rising. He said: "After the first game against Uruguay, the technical director of a very good club in Europe contacted me about a scout report for Cho Gue-sung."
Gue-sung vs Giakoumakis
It's the pertinent question with serious doubt hangs over the Greek forward. But how does the new golden boy of South Korean football compare? Highly favourably is the only conclusion when you look at the numbers both have produced this season.
Many Parkhead punters are convinced Giakoumakis is the Premiership champions' best forward but Gue-sung appears ready made to make a telling impact at his next club. He offers a heady mix of goals and a physical presence at the top end of the pitch.
In the 22/23 season, Gue-Sung has played 20 games compared to 22 from Giakoumakis. But the South Korea star has more goals (11) than the former VVV Venlo man (8). And he is also clear of the Celtic forward in a clutch of key categories. Gue-Sung is ahead in shots on target per match (1.65 to 0.82), passes (23 to 7) passing accuracy (78 per cent to 72 per cent) and dribbles (1.75 per game to 0.73)
And Gue-Sung isn't shy in rolling his sleeves up as he beats Giakoumakis in the ugly side of the game. He makes more tackles per game (1.25 to 0.68) and intercepts the ball more often (1.65 to 1.04). The Greek international edges the World Cup star in aerial challenges won (44 per cent to 39 per cent) but Gue-sung is averaging 6.5 more duels per game. Celtic fans, if you think Giakoumakis is rough and tumble then the man who could replace him is more a physical presence at the top end of the pitch.
You can see why there's so much clamour over an imminent move.
What else stands out?
Gue-sung is a throwback forward in his desire to put everything on the line in search of goals. His equaliser against Ghana is the type of booming header which would Chris Sutton or John Hartson would have left chuffed. Gue-sung's confidence was soaring after pulling one back scored the perfect No.9 goal as he peeled off the back post and channeled his inner-Cristiano Ronaldo as he soared over Gideon Mensah. His powerful header put both the ball and hapless keeper Lawrence At-Zigi in the back of the net.
That type of goal is what Gue-sung is all about. In his last five games for Jeonbuk before the pause for the World Cup shows a forward who has a complete understanding of his biggest strength. He is constantly lurking in the box ready to turn home good service from the wide areas. He is averaging four shots per game since October and has scored seven goals in his last six games.
Perhaps Celtic's greatest strength is their consistent ability to get the ball in the box. The Premiership champions average 19 crosses per game and that's six more than what Jeonbuk manage per match. Gue-sung is feasting fro club and country and that is only likely to increase if he makes the switch to Glasgow.
Postecoglou's nod
The former Yokahama Marinos boss has already signed five players from Japan since becoming Celtic boss. But he revealed last December the K-League was very much on his watchlist.
He said: “Not just from Japan but from Korea, from Australia, from Iran. There are some very good footballers on that side of the world. But if people don’t want to look there, I’m happy to be the only one.”
Celtic had previously been linked with Gue-sung's club team-mate Song-min Kyu but it appears the man who is leading the line appears more likely to earn a money-spinning move away first.
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