Jeon Jin-woo Targeted by Crvena zvezda in Potential €3 Million Deal
Jeon Jin-woo’s Meteoric Rise Pushes His Valuation to €3m – But Jeonbuk May Not Let Him Leave
Red Star Belgrade Make a Move – But Jeonbuk Holds the Cards
K League 1’s standout star Jeon Jin-woo is attracting serious interest from European clubs following his sensational form in 2025, but his club Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors appear unwilling to part with their top scorer amid a tense title race.
According to Serbian outlet Sportklub, Red Star Belgrade (Crvena zvezda), Serbia’s most decorated football club, have expressed a keen interest in Jeon Jin-woo. The report stated, “After signing Seol Young-woo, Red Star have set their eyes on another Korean talent – Jeon Jin-woo, the current top scorer in K League 1.” The club are reportedly willing to pay up to €3 million to secure his services.
However, Jeonbuk’s desire to reclaim the K League title for the first time since 2021 may present a major obstacle to any transfer. With the team currently leading the table, six points clear of second-placed Daejeon Hana Citizen, and facing renewed pressure from rivals like Ulsan HD, Jeon Jin-woo’s importance cannot be overstated. He has contributed directly to more than half of Jeonbuk’s goals since May – scoring six and assisting two of their 15 goals during that span.
From ‘Unfulfilled Promise’ to Korea’s Hottest Talent
Jeon Jin-woo’s journey has been anything but linear. Known by his birth name Jeon Se-jin during the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup where Korea reached the final, he was widely regarded as a player with tremendous potential. But his senior career stuttered – until now.
After netting just 11 goals over seven K League seasons prior to 2025, Jeon has exploded this year with 12 goals and two assists, topping the scoring charts and placing second in overall attacking points. This remarkable turnaround earned him back-to-back Player of the Month awards for April and May – a rare feat in the K League, previously achieved only by Stefan Mugoša and Lee Dong-gyeong.
His scintillating strike against Daegu in Round 16 earned him the May Goal of the Month award as well, underlining his lethal form in front of goal. Voted by over 80% of fans, Jeon’s contribution has not gone unnoticed on the domestic stage.
A Breakthrough on the International Stage
Jeon’s surge in form has also translated onto the international scene. Handed his first senior call-up for Korea’s June World Cup qualifiers, he impressed immediately. In a 2-0 win against Iraq, he assisted Oh Hyun-gyu’s second goal with a clever pass. Four days later, his darting run led to the opening goal against Kuwait, officially registered as an own goal but widely credited to Jeon’s initiative.
These performances have helped fuel rising interest from abroad, particularly from Eastern and Central European clubs.
Valuation Soars Following International Breakthrough
Initially valued in the €600,000–700,000 range, Jeon’s transfer fee has ballooned to €1 million and now reportedly €3 million. This leap in valuation reflects not just his domestic exploits but also the increased demand following his international debut. According to Polish media outlets, as many as three Ekstraklasa clubs are monitoring his situation, alongside interest from clubs in Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.
Clubs see Jeon as a versatile wide forward with a lethal touch, capable of making the leap to European football. Red Star Belgrade, in particular, appear serious in their approach. Having already invested in Hwang In-beom and Seol Young-woo – both of whom have made strong impressions – they view Jeon as another high-upside investment in the Korean market.
Jeonbuk’s Calculated Resistance
Despite the interest, Jeonbuk are in no hurry to cash in. The club has historically been open to transferring players abroad if the conditions were right – including player aspirations and adequate compensation. But this season’s context is different.
Jeonbuk are in the midst of a title charge after narrowly escaping relegation through a playoff last season. They are now unbeaten in 14 matches and eyeing their first league triumph in four years. Jeon’s role in this resurgence is central, with even manager Gus Poyet dismissing current transfer speculation, stating, “There are no formal offers yet. But if one arrives, we’ll talk. He definitely has what it takes to succeed in Europe.”
Internally, the club believes Jeon has not yet reached his peak. Letting him go now could risk derailing their championship push. An agency official familiar with the situation noted, “Even when you combine the goal tallies of Jeonbuk’s second and third highest scorers – Gustavo and Tiago – you still fall short of Jeon’s total. That says it all.”
A Summer Dilemma with World Cup Implications
For Jeon Jin-woo, the decision is complex. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup just a year away, a summer move to Europe could be well-timed to test himself at a higher level. But a poorly timed move – especially in the winter – risks disrupting his form and jeopardising his spot in the national team setup.
Jeon, for now, remains focused. “It’s hard to speak about transfer rumours at the moment,” he said after a 3-0 win over Gangwon FC. “I’m just trying to concentrate on the team and do my best.”
As things stand, Red Star Belgrade and other suitors may have to wait. But if Jeon continues on this trajectory, it is only a matter of time before he takes his talents to Europe – the only question is when, and at what cost.