In recent weeks, speculation has suggested that contract talks between Celtic and Giorgos Giakoumakis have broken down.
The Greek striker, who arrived at Parkhead just last year, still has a long-term contract at the club, which lasts until the summer of 2026.
However, after an impressive first season in Glasgow, talks between Giakoumakis’ representative and the club got underway a few months ago.
According to the Daily Record, though, talks of a new deal stalled, with both parties reportedly failing to agree on new terms.
Although Giakoumakis isn’t putting pen onto paper just yet, many supporters would likely take the stance that talks would soon resume in order to try and find a solution.
However, ever since then, reports have continued to be conflicted from several different sides of the media, despite Ange Postecoglou shutting down any contract concerns.
Clubs from England, Germany and Saudi Araba are thought to be monitoring the situation and could make their move for Giakoumakis in the January window.
At this stage, the situation seems quite unclear for Celtic supporters. However, it should become a whole lot clearer when we enter the January window.
Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic stance will make Giakoumakis situation a whole lot clearer by next month.
Whilst at this moment in time, it is unclear what side of the Giakoumakis story we should fall on, it should become clearer by Ange Postecoglou’s response in the January window.
The Celtic manager has done wonders in the transfer market since his arrival last summer in terms of incomings and outgoings.
Each one of his signings are on the same page, and right from the off, the entire squad looks to pull in the right direction.
However, if any player was to fall out of that and become unhappy at the club, Postecoglou has made it clear in the past that he won’t be afraid to move players on.
During last month’s AGM, the former Socceroos’ boss insisted that he wouldn’t be scared to move on any members of his current squad if it meant furthering the progress of the club.
And you would imagine that would include any players that aren’t currently happy here.
Examples of that can be picked from the Bhoys’ recruitment in the summer of 2021 when players such as Kristoffer Ajer and Ryan Christie were moved on due to their contract situation. And by that time, their period at Parkhead was very much coming to an end.
During the Hoops’ pursuit of Australian midfielder Riley McGree this time last year, Postecoglou made that outlook clear once again by stating, ‘I only want players who want to be here.’
He said [Glasgow Times]: “It’s an indication for me that this isn’t the right place for him. It works both ways. I only want players who want to be here.
“I won’t try and convince any player to come and sign for this football club. I won’t. If they can’t see the opportunities that exist here, then that’s part of the deal for me. The ones we have signed all wanted to come here.
“It’s an easy decision. Everyone has their own free will to decide what’s best for them. But I’m not going to sell this club to anyone on its attributes or virtues. If they can’t understand that in the first place, then they’re probably not worth talking to from my perspective.”
Although both scenarios have slightly different circumstances, with Giakoumakis already at the club and currently a Celtic player, the principles still stand.
For Ange Postecoglou, he isn’t going to convince any player that this club is the right fit for them. If they are unhappy, they will simply be moved on and replaced.
As mentioned, at this moment in time, we do not know all the details of the Giakoumakis situation. So, it would be unfair to tar him with the negative side of things.
But it should all become a bit clearer by the time the January transfer window rolls around, and we are able to see Ange Postecoglou’s stance on the situation.
In other news, Celtic taking defiant transfer stand amidst Josip Juranovic talks.
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