Celtic boss offers interesting Giorgos Giakoumakis update

Celtic’s January transfer window has been eventful till now, with the Hoops already securing the signings of Tomoki Iwata, Yuki Kobayashi and Alistair Johnston. In terms of outgoings, things have moved very slowly, despite the likes of Giorgos Giakoumakis and Josip Juranovic being heavily linked with exits this month.

Out of the two, it is Giakoumakis who seems to be closer to a departure right now, with the rumours surrounding Juranovic surprisingly fizzling out in recent days.

Since the start of the season, the Greece international has struggled for starts, with Kyogo Furuhashi pretty much the number one in the striker pecking order. According to stats from Transfermarkt, Giakoumakis has made 28 appearances and played 1046 minutes of football in the ongoing campaign, scoring 9 goals and providing an assist.

Rumours suggested that Celtic have agreed a transfer offer from Urawa Red Diamonds for Giakoumakis. But with Ange Postecoglou holding the cards close to his chest, it remains to be seen what the future holds for the Greek goal machine.

Celtic boss plays down Giakoumakis transfer rumours

As reported by Football Scotland, Postecoglou said about the situation:

"“It is pretty much the same. As I said, Michael (Nicholson, Celtic CEO) is dealing with all that stuff and, as we sit right here, nobody is leaving or coming.“There is always going to be speculation around the place but from our perspective at this moment there is nothing definite happening.”"

Apart from the J League side, Atlanta United and Sampdoria have also been linked with potential moves for Giakoumakis.

Suggestions have been that the 28-year-old is not satisfied with his playing time in the 2022/23 season, while it is also believed that he failed to agree to a new contract with the club.

All signs seem to point towards Giakoumakis leaving the club this month. And even if that fails to transpire, one would expect him to be on his way out in the summer.

The biggest problem for Celtic would be finding a proper replacement for the Greek striker though, with their chase to sign Cho Gue-sung leading nowhere, while Casper Tengstedt has ended up joining Benfica already.