Celtic backed to seal ‘massive’ Giakoumakis coup after major reveal – pundit
Gabby Agbonlahor has backed Celtic to complete a “massive” coup and beat Werder Bremen to the signing of Georgios Giakoumakis.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Aston Villa and England forward insisted Giakoumakis will add welcome competition for places at Parkhead.
Sky Sports’ Anthony Joseph reported yesterday (23 August) talks between Celtic and VVV-Venlo over the striker are “progressing well”.
It is claimed Werder Bremen have cooled their interest in the 26-year-old as they are struggling to finance a deal and already looking at alternatives.
Giakoumakis scored 26 goals in 30 Erividise games last term but his efforts were not enough to prevent VVV-Venlo from suffering relegation.
He could become Ange Postecoglou’s eighth signing of the summer after Liel Abada, Kyogo Furuhashi, Carl Starfelt, Joe Hart, James McCarthy and Josip Juranović.
Abada and Kyogo have had an instant impact on the Hoops side and have helped them create some good recent form after a tricky start.
Giakoumakis could be a replacement for Odsonne Edouard who wants to quit the club this summer with just 12 months left on his contract.
Asked whether the Hoops can beat Bremen to the capture of Giakoumakis, Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: “Definitely.
“Another striker will help Celtic and add competition for places.
“If they can beat Werder Bremen that’s massive because they’re a big club in the German league which is a bigger league than the Scottish league.”
Giakoumakis has just one year left to run on his VVV-Venlo contract.
The Greece international moved to the Dutch club AEK Athens last summer for a €600,000 fee.
In other news, Edouard may be quitting Celtic for a £60,000-a-week move after a reported update.