Giorgos Giakoumakis seems to be closing in on a Celtic exit in the ongoing January transfer window. The Greek striker was key in the Hoops’ Premiership triumph last season and almost scoring for fun at one point of time. Thus, losing a player of that calibre is a blow for the club without a doubt. But it is starting to seem inevitable, after rumours broke out that he had failed to agree a contract extension.
While there are still several years left on Giakoumakis’ current deal with the club, it looks like Celtic are open to letting players leave, if they do not want to remain at Parkhead.
Giakoumakis has not started a single game since the return of club football after the World Cup break and all signs seem to be pointing towards him leaving Celtic. But if he was to leave, the Hoops look set to make a healthy profit, having signed the Greek international around a year-and-a-half ago.
As reported by The Scottish Sun, Celtic look set to let Giakoumakis leave in a deal worth up to £8 million. Urawa Red Diamonds are believed to be leading the race to sign him but Sampdoria as well as teams from Russia, Germany, the United States and the Middle East are also interested.
Celtic look set to make big profit from Giakoumakis exit
Celtic had signed Giakoumakis from VVV-Venlo in the summer of 2021 for a transfer fee believed to be around £2.5 million.
That was a major bargain fee to say the least, considering the fact that Giakoumakis had topped the Eredivisie scoring charts just in the previous campaign.
He has continued to find the back of the net consistently since then and could be a good signing for most clubs. Now, it remains to be seen where he ends up, if he does indeed leave Celtic.