South Korea defender Kim Young-gwon is being linked with a move to the Premier League.

The Daily Star Sunday says the centre-back, who Marcello Lippi once recommended to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, is out of contract in December with Chinese Super League champions Guangzhou Evergrande.

And Kim, 25, is available for around £750,000 which has alerted Southampton, Sunderland, Swansea and Celtic.

Former Italy coach Lippi was in charge of Guangzhou when he told ex-United boss Fergie about Kim. In an interview, Lippi later revealed: "I spoke with Ferguson about him. He could definitely play for Manchester United."