Celtic told to let £5 million player go despite great form

Celtic have built up a great reputation when it comes to their recruitment, since the arrival of Ange Postecoglou as manager. The club have made some brilliant additions over the past 18 months or so, and it has gone a long way in re-establishing them as the top team in Scottish football. It is important to remember though that things did not always go as smoothly for them in the transfer market.

The summer transfer window of 2020 did not go their way at all and the signings that they made that time around were not able to make much of an impact on the team. It proved to be a key reason behind the disaster that was the 2020/21 campaign for the Hoops.

Vasilis Barkas was amongst them. It was believed that Celtic paid out a transfer fee around £5 million to sign the Greek goalkeeper from AEK Athens. The hope was that he would be the number one for the Hoops for years to come.

Unfortunately, things did not go as expected for Barkas at Parkhead. He failed to make the first-team gloves his own in his first season at the club and in the following campaign, Joe Hart arrived. He was sent out on loan last summer, joining FC Utrecht and he has done a great job there, and seems to have rediscovered his confidence. But Celtic have been told to let him go.

Celtic told to let £5 million player go despite great form this season

With Barkas shining away on loan at FC Utrecht, many fans have wondered whether he might be able to come back and become the club’s number one. But as reported by Football Insider, Alan Hutton said:

"“I think sometimes you just have to cut your losses.“It has not been a great investment for the club. It has not worked out but that happens.“I think with every transfer comes risk, they probably thought they were bringing in a number one for the future. It didn’t quite work out.“He is obviously too expensive [for Utrecht] so they have to bring their valuation down if they want to move him on.“They have got people already within the squad so it is another number that is not needed.“"

Should Barkas be given another chance to show what he is capable of at Celtic? There is an interesting debate to be had there.

On one hand, Hart is 35 years of age and Celtic still need a long-term solution between the posts. Thus, giving Barkas another chance, after he has rediscovered his form in the Eredivisie, might not be a bad idea.

On the other hand though, Barkas’ stock is high after his performances at FC Utrecht. But if he struggles at Celtic again, the club could have a tough timing getting a transfer fee out of his exit.