Reliable journalist offers huge Celtic transfer update

Less than a week is left in the January transfer window, yet there could be a lot more activity at Celtic to come. The club have been busier than anybody could have expected. The Hoops have completed the signings of Yuki Kobayashi, Alistair Johnston, Tomoki Iwata and Oh Hyeon-gyu, four players who are expected to have first-team roles immediately. On the other hand, a nailed on starter like Josip Juranovic has left to join Union Berlin.

Another key player who is expected to leave before the transfer window slams shut is Giorgos Giakoumakis. The Greek striker has not started a game after the World Cup break, and the club have already brought in a potential replacement in the form of Oh.

While Celtic are believed to have already agreed an offer for Giakoumakis from Urawa Red Diamonds, the player is rumoured to prefer a move to Atlanta United. There have been suggestions though that the MLS side want Giakoumakis on an initial loan deal with an option to buy.

But as tweeted out by Mark Hendry, that would simply be impossible while a deal with an obligation will be slightly more likely.

Reliable journalist gives huge Celtic transfer update

So, it looks like Atlanta United won’t be able to sign Giakoumakis, if they are only willing to make a loan move with an option to buy included in it.

And that makes sense as well, because Celtic are believed to already have an offer on the table for a permanent transfer which will bring in an initial fee plus add-ons.

Thus, the transfer situation of Giakoumakis is not as straightforward as it had seemed. And with just merely days left in the January transfer window, the possibility of him not being able to secure an exit cannot be ruled out either.