Thursday 17 July 2014 20:01, UK
Bolton Wanderers boss Dougie Freedman is looking to keep Chung-yong Lee at the Reebok Stadium amid reports of interest from afar.
Cardiff City are the latest side to be linked with the highly-rated winger, who has spent the last five years with Bolton.
His form and fitness has fluctuated throughout that time, but Lee remains a player blessed with match-winning creativity on his day.
Bolton are aware of that fact and intend to do all they can to ensure that it is they who continue to benefit from the South Korea international’s talents.
I’ll always try to advise the board about someone I think can do a job for us and someone who might do a job further down the line and go from there. But right now, Chungy is certainly a part of what we are trying to do.
Freedman told the Bolton News on Lee, who is entering the final year of his current contract: “There are four or five of them in that situation.
“In that respect it’s a crucial year – what is the club’s future?
“I’ll always try to advise the board about someone I think can do a job for us and someone who might do a job further down the line and go from there. But right now, Chungy is certainly a part of what we are trying to do.
“Contracts don’t mean anything on the training ground. Players turn up on Monday morning and I want them at their best.
“If, like Chungy, they have got a year left then we need to look at the business side of it, his ambition and the club’s ambition.
“If you can marry them together, so to speak, we’ll work it out. But if something can’t be worked out, we’ll shake them by the hand and wish them well.”
Asked about Cardiff’s reported interest in Lee, Freedman added: “Nothing has come through me at all – I’m expecting him back at the beginning of next week.”
