Josip Juranovic has completed his move to Union Berlin and it looks like Giorgos Giakoumakis could be the next player to leave Celtic. Of course, the rumours have surrounded the future of the Greek striker all month, and it would be a big surprise if he stayed on at Parkhead. Rumours recently broke out that a transfer bid from Urawa Red Diamonds had been accepted, and yet, the saga has dragged on.
It looks like Giakoumakis is weighing up his options before making a final decision on his future, and one would expect him to.
Giakoumakis leaving in the middle of the season would be a big blow for Celtic, but there have also been suggestions that the club are close to signing South Korean striker, Oh Hyeon-gyu, from Suwon Samsung Bluewings this month.
While he looks set to leave, Giakoumakis’ destination remains unclear. And even though Urawa Red Diamonds are believed to be the favourites, Gus Poyet made some interesting comments recently. As reported by The Scottish Sun, the Greek international manager said:
"“At first I heard it was this team in Japan he was going to sign for and now I hear it’s the team in MLS.“I always tell any player when they ask for my opinion that they have to make good decisions.“The more good decisions you make in your career, the better your career gets.“But wherever he is in the world, he will be in the national team if he doesn’t have injury problems.”"
Giakoumakis’ Celtic exit takes another twist
Thus, it looks like Giakoumakis could very well be headed to the MLS as well. Let’s see how things turn out.
Of course, when it comes to the MLS, the team who have been linked with a move for Giakoumakis recently is Atlanta United. There has been no news of them submitting an official transfer bid till now though.
It goes without saying that Celtic will miss Giakoumakis, if or when he leaves the club. He brings a different presence up top for this side and was perhaps the most vital player in their title charge in the second half of last season, scoring goals almost for fun at times. It is hard not to feel that his contributions have gone a bit under the radar.