After much transfer speculation in recent weeks and months, Josip Juranovic becomes the first big name player to leave Celtic this January transfer window, officially joining Union Berlin until the summer of 2027 in a deal potentially rising to £10m.
And it seems almost certain now that Greek striker Giorgos Giakoumakis will be the next big name player to follow him out of Celtic Park.
Speaking to the media after the 5-0 Scottish Cup win over Greenock Morton, manager Ange Postecoglou stated on Giakoumakis:
“He had that little niggle. He trained on Friday but it’s fair to say there is a fair bit going on with him in the background as well and my view is that it’s not just about the physical but the mental too. I had a good chat with him and until he gets some clarity about what’s happening with him, I think as well as the physical stuff I thought it was better to leave him out.”
Giakoumakis has been heavily linked with a move to Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds, after news broke of Celtic accepting a deal of £3.55m for the striker, but it now appears that the player favours a move to the MLS instead, with Atlanta United reportedly interest in the striker.
Greece manger Gus Poyet, has now spoken out on the rumours:
“I think Giorgos is a strong character, he likes to play football, he gives you 100% all the time, I think that’s why he’s so popular with Celtic.”
“He’s got better in front of goal and scored a few goals.”
“But this season he wasn’t playing regularly. He felt he wanted to play.”
“At first I heard it was this team in Japan he was going to sign for and now I hear it’s the team in MLS.”
“I always tell any player when they ask for my opinion that they have to make good decisions.”
“The more good decisions you make in your career, the better your career gets.”
“But wherever he is in the world, he will be in the national team if he doesn’t have injury problems.”
“I like him a lot and he is an important member of the Greek national team and I hope he makes the right decision for himself and for the national team.”
South Korea striker Oh hyeon-gyu is reportedly on the verge of signing for Celtic and has already had his medical with the club, but it is believed that Ange still wants one more striker in, with an offer still on the table for Cho Gue-sung.
