Giorgos Giakoumakis’ departure from Parkhead appears to be edging closer, with two clubs in the running for the Celtic striker.
The 28-year-old has been heavily linked with a move away from the club in the January window after failing to agree on new contract terms.
The Greek frontman has continued to feature for Ange Postecoglou’s squad. But it now feels likely we will see him replaced by the end of the winter transfer window.
In recent weeks, reports of interested clubs have continued to ramp up and there now appear to be two in particular who are likely to land last season’s Scottish Premiership top scorer.
According to a report from Sun Sport, talks are set to continue in the next few days with J-League side Urawa Red Diamonds, who are keen to bring the striker to Japan.
The report states that Urawa are hoping to land Giakoumakis by tabling him a big-money offer that he cannot refuse, and if talks go smoothly, a deal could potentially be done by the weekend.
However, there is also another interested party who has stepped up their chase, with reports from Italy stating that Giakoumakis has agreed terms with Serie A side Sampdoria.
Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio believes that the Celtic man and his representatives have already agreed on terms. However, an agreement is still to be struck on a fee between the Serie A strugglers and the Hoops hierarchy.
Sampdoria are reportedly hopeful of signing Giakoumakis on loan, with the obligation to buy, should they remain in the Italian top flight. But currently, they find themselves six points adrift in second bottom, which could ultimately affect negotiations.
Conditions of transfer fee could have a big impact on Giakoumakis’ next club.
With Giakoumakis having already agreed terms with the Serie A side, there is clearly some interest on the player’s part in moving to Italy.
However, with Urawa Red Diamonds set to continue transfer talks in the next few days, there still seems like a chance the Celtic frontman could end up in Japan.
In my opinion, the one big stumbling block which might lead Giakoumakis to Japan is the terms of Sampdoria’s current deal.
They currently sit 19th place in the top flight, having picked up only nine points from 17 games this season, which finds them six points adrift in the relegation zone.
Sampdoria clearly believes there is a chance that Giakoumakis can fire them to safety, and that is why they will be including the obligation to buy in the deal.
However, is that a risk Celtic are going to take in their sale of Giakoumakis? There are a number of factors which could ultimately see this deal go wrong.
At this moment in time, the most likely destination seems to be Japan, in my opinion, with Urawa Red Diamonds appearing keen for negotiations to continue. The Italian club would need to change their approach to the negotiations in order to secure Giakoumakis.
It remains to be seen where the Celtic striker’s next destination will be, and I am sure negotiations will continue. Hopefully, we should discover more in the coming days, and his exit seems almost inevitable.
In other news, Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou’s Hampden goalkeeping decision
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