AEK Athens could waive part of the transfer fee due for Vasilis Barkas to get a deal for Celtic midfielder Olivier Ntcham over the line this summer.
The Scottish Sun reports, citing Greek sources, that the Super League side are keen on the French midfielder. They are willing to pay him £20,000-a-week to move from Glasgow.
Celtic have held the option to terminate the final year of his contract, but that now looks unlikely.
The club agreed with the Athens team to pay £4.5m for Barkas last summer. However, it hasn’t all been paid upfront, meaning AEK can reduce the final fee. There is also the option of cancelling agreed add-ons.
Barkas had a slow start at Celtic after big fee but can still come good
Barkas suffered a dismal first season at Celtic. He couldn’t cement himself as the number one goalkeeper, losing his place at points to both Scott Bain and Conor Hazard.
In the closing weeks of the season, he was given another opportunity by interim boss John Kennedy. There’s every chance he has a part to play under a new manager next season.
Relaxed pandemic rules and renewed chances in Glasgow could massively help him settle.
There are definitely question marks about his future. However, I’m not willing to completely write him off quite.
Given potential manager Ange Postecoglou’s Greek connections, we could well see the best of Barkas to come.
In other news, Celtic table bid for international defender.
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