Celtic recently completed the signing of Oh Hyeon-gyu from Suwon Samsung Bluewings. The move meant that the club have brought in a replacement for Giorgos Giakoumakis, with the Greek striker expected to complete a Parkhead exit this month. That has been thrown into doubt now though.
Urawa Red Diamonds and Atlanta United are the two clubs believed to be leading the race to sign Giakoumakis. Celtic are already believed to have had accepted a transfer bid from the J League side.
But a move has not transpired yet, as rumours have suggested that Giakoumakis prefers a move to Atlanta United but the MLS side want him on a loan deal with an option to buy. That is where the problem lies though.
As reported by the Daily Record, Celtic want Atlanta United to come up with an acceptable guaranteed transfer fee. Giakoumakis has also been informed that unless he accepts Urawa Red Diamonds’ offer or another suitable bid comes in then the Hoops are prepared to keep him as part of Ange Postecoglou’s squad and then reassess things in the summer.
Giakoumakis’ Celtic exit saga takes incredible twist with stay now possible
It is safe to say that not many people would have seen this coming after weeks of speculation about his exit, but now, it looks like Giakoumakis staying on at the club is a real possibility.
Of course, it is still possible that Atlanta United could submit a suitable transfer bid, he might accept the move to Urawa Red Diamonds or another club comes into the play and signs him.
But for the time being, it appears that things are dragging on and there is less than a week left in the window.
Let’s see what the future holds, but Giakoumakis staying on Celtic for the rest of the season might be a positive thing considering this will be Oh’s first campaign in Europe.