Transfers: Baumjohann Hints at Move

 It's no secret that former Bundesliga star Alexander Baumjohann is eyeing up a move to the K League and, according to sources close to the player, the wheels were already in motion even before the transfer window opened on Monday. But where is he headed?
(Image via Spox/Vavel)
A tweet from the player's official Twitter account on Tuesday 3rd July hinted that a deal somewhere could be close but where could the former Bayern, Schalke, and Hertha Berlin attacking midfielder be heading?

Good things are comming. 🙏🏼

— Alexander Baumjohann (@AlexBaumjohann) July 3, 2018

Amongst the top clubs in K League 1, Suwon Bluewings could be a possible destination for Baumjohann. Over the summer break Brazilian wing-back Cristovam was allowed to leave the club and has since joined K League 2 promotion hopefuls Bucheon 1995, leaving one non-Asian foreign spot left in Seo Jungwon's squad. A move to Big Bird is said to be most welcome by Baumjohann and could be the driving force in the centre of midfield that the Bluewings may need to really push Jeonbuk for the title. Of course, Baumjohann's former Schalke 04 teammate Edu began his K League career at Big Bird before departing for Germany in 2010.

League leaders Jeonbuk Hyundai, meanwhile, are in a similar situation with all their non-Asian foreign quota spots already at maximum with Brazilian trio Lopes, Adriano, and Tiago. However, the latter, former Seongnam midfielder Tiago, found life a little tough at Jeonju Castle in the run up to the World Cup break and was left out of Choi Kanghee's last few match day squads. Although, given how strong Jeonbuk have looked this season, it might be argued that the reigning K League Champions don't need to any major strengthening over the summer. That situation may change, however, should the highly-rated Korean international midfielder Lee Jaesung depart as has been rumoured for a couple of seasons. Jeonbuk would still need to offload one of their foreign stars though should a move for Baumjohann interest Choi Kanghee.

FC Seoul are in a similar situation with their foreign contingent but it is believed that Croatian winger Ivan Kovačec's contract is due to expire this summer and so a potential move to Sangam might not be out of the question should "Kova" depart. Certainly, the lure of the capital is said to appeal to Baumjohann and, likewise, could be an attractive move for the club too who have lacked that little bit of spark in midfield and may see the 31-year-old North Rhine-Westphalia-native as the man to add that extra bit of zest.

At the other end of the country, Ulsan Hyundai may be in the market to replace the outgoing Mislav Oršić who departed for Dinamo Zagreb shortly after the K League season took its hiatus. Kim Dohoon has already made one high profile acquisition this summer, bringing in Korean international Lee Keunho to replace Oršić on the flank but Ulsan still have one spot left in their squad for a foreign player. However, US Men's National Team midfielder Mix Diskerud had hinted that he was set to join a club connected to Hyundai. The Manchester City man is currently on loan at IFK Göteborg in Sweden.

The club which Baumjohann almost joined is said to be none of the aforementioned and so a move elsewhere might not be out of the question. The remaining K League 1 clubs are, barring any sudden outgoings, full but, although it may be a little far-fetched, K League 2 promotion favourites Seongnam currently have two spots available. Croatian central defender Marin Oršulić's contract was terminated by mutual consent and and Brazilian Muralha joined Saudi side Al-Hazem this week. The Magpies, who have seven K League 1 titles to their name, not to mention have three AFC Champions League trophies to their name, were relegated to the second division in 2016 and are desperate to get back to K League 1.