After Celtic failed to bring back Fraser Forster from Southampton, the Hoops decided to make a move for Vasilis Barkas in the summer of 2020. It is believed that they shelled out a transfer fee in the region of £4.5 million to sign the Greek goalkeeper from AEK Athens. It is safe to say that the move has not worked out and he has not been able to make his mark at the club. As a result, a Parkhead exit might very well lie in his future.
Celtic did not appear to have a clear first-choice goalkeeper last season with Barkas, Scott Bain and Conor Hazard all getting runs in the first-team.
With Ange Postecoglou’s appointment, it was believed that Barkas would get another run to prove himself at Parkhead but a couple of early season mistakes meant that the club ended up making a move for Joe Hart instead, and he has been absolutely superb since coming in.
Scott Bain was also handed a contract extension by Celtic recently. As a result, it feels like it is only a matter of time before Barkas is shown the exit door. Giannis Chorianopoulos provided an update on the situation though as he tweeted out:
Hazard to Helsinki means Barkas 3rd GK choice for Celtic as we speak. Barkas agents are checking the market but no progress at the moment@CelticFC #Celtic #CelticFC #Barkas
— Giannis Chorianopoulos (@choria80) January 19, 2022
Interesting update on Barkas’ future at Celtic
Hazard did join HJK Helsinki recently on a year long loan. But one has to feel that Celtic must have tried to find Barkas a new club as well after his recent struggles.
Thus, one has to wonder, was the decision to loan out Hazard taken after they could not make progress for a Barkas exit? It has to be pointed out that we are quickly heading towards the end of the January transfer window.
Of course, there is the emergence of Tobi Oluwayemi to consider as well and many believe that the 18-year-old has the potential to be Celtic’s first-choice goalkeeper in the future.