Wigan chase South Korean star Lee

Lee Chun-soo is hoping to forge a career in the Premiership

Wigan boss Paul Jewell is hoping to sign South Korea striker Lee Chun-soo.

The 25-year-old former Asian Young Footballer of the Year has emerged as a target as Jewell desperately attempts to strengthen his squad.

Lee currently plays for Ulsan Tigers in the K-League and is keen to return to Europe after spells at Real Sociedad and Numancia in Spain.

The deal is reported to be close to a conclusion but Wigan still have some red tape problems to overcome.

Lee became the first South Korean to play in La Liga after impressive performances in the 2002 World Cup - joining Real Socieded a year later.

He was not a success and returned to Ulsan in the middle of the K-League season in 2005 after a poor spell at Numancia.

Lee helped Ulsan clinch the title and he was named the league's Most Valuable Player at the end of that year.

Wigan have recently watched Lee, who scored South Korea's opening goal at last year's World Cup finals in a 2-1 win over Togo.