*This content was translated by AI.
Portugal's prestigious FC Porto has officially begun negotiations to sign South Korean national team midfielder Hwang In-beom (30). However, the transfer is taking a long course due to disagreements over the transfer fee with his current club, Feyenoord.
Portuguese outlet 'Record' reported on the 15th (Korean time) that "Porto and Feyenoord are engaged in a tense tug-of-war over Hwang In-beom's transfer fee," adding that "both clubs wish to proceed with the transfer but are seeking a compromise to protect their maximum interests."
According to reports, Porto has no intention of rushing Hwang In-beom's acquisition. Porto has already reached a verbal agreement with Hwang's side. Furthermore, Hwang strongly prefers joining Porto over an offer from Mexico's Monterrey, giving Porto the upper hand in negotiations.
Feyenoord's internal situation also works to Porto's advantage. Feyenoord recently appointed Giovanni van Bronckhorst as the new head coach following Robin van Persie. The media explained that "Hwang In-beom is reportedly excluded from Van Bronckhorst's plans for the upcoming season, and Porto is actively leveraging this point at the negotiation table."
The biggest sticking point is the transfer fee. Porto has valued Hwang In-beom at around 5 million euros (approximately 8.5 billion won). In contrast, Feyenoord is demanding double that amount, 10 million euros (approximately 17 billion won), and holding firm. Feyenoord's strategy is to maximize the price by citing Hwang's contract running until 2028 and his increased value following his performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
The media stated, "With about eight weeks remaining in the summer transfer window, a battle of patience between both sides is expected to continue for some time. Porto intends to keep negotiating but also remains open to exploring alternative options if Feyenoord refuses to budge on its excessive demands."
According to the media, Hwang In-beom, currently on vacation after the World Cup and staying in Korea, is maintaining his physical condition through individual training. The outlet added that "even if a deal is reached, it will be difficult for him to immediately join team training, but there should be no major issues with proceeding with transfer procedures such as medical tests."
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*This content was translated by AI.
