A mega $11 million deal to sell South Korean utility man Kwon Kyung-won to ambitious side Chinese Super League new boys Tianjin Quanjian is being negotiated by Arabian Gulf League champions Al Ahli.
Kwon, 24, has proven an astute addition since he was picked up from Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in his homeland for a nominal undisclosed fee during February 2015.
Consistent performances at centre-back and defensive midfield have not gone unnoticed elsewhere, with current Tianjin boss and ex-Red Knights assistant Fabio Cannavaro personally requesting his signature.
This desire has seen talks opened to secure one of the most-lucrative exports in the history of UAE football.
Only the sales of (Dh81m) Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan – who is currently on loan at Al Maktoum Stadium – from Al Ain to Shanghai SIPG and Argentine playmaker Manuel Lanzini from Al Jazira to West Ham United for £9.4m (Dh43.7m) would better it in recent seasons.
Kwon was banned for Ahli’s late 1-0 win against Sharjah on Thursday night. This means he has made 42 top-flight appearances for them, during which he has scored four times.
The South Korea youth international will be forever remembered for deflecting in during injury-time against Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal to send the Dubai outfit through to the 2015 AFC Champions League final. He then started both legs of the final as China’s Guangzhou Evergrande earned a tight 1-0 triumph.
But a less fond memory is provided by the late own goal, against the run of play, which led to the Red Knights’ defeat on penalties to Al Nasr during that year’s President’s Cup showpiece.
His exit would open up a space for an Asian-qualified player in the four-man non-Emirati quota. The transfer window is open from December 25-January 19 in the UAE.
Kwon’s prospective next employers are preparing for a first CSL campaign in their history after they claimed the 2016 China League One-crown. Chinese clubs can register additions from January 1-February 28.
