Celtic expert issues Giorgos Giakoumakis exit verdict after latest development
Frank McAvennie has urged Giorgos Giakoumakis to stay at Celtic.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Hoops striker insisted they need to hold on to Giakoumakis because he offers something different to first choice Kyogo Furuhashi.
Giakoumakis, 28, has played less than half an hour of football since the Celts’ return to action after the World Cup break.
The striker’s current contract runs until 2026 but Parkhead bosses have been attempting to secure the goalscorer to a new long-term deal.
According to the Sun (13 December), the Green and Whites could look for a fee in the region of at least £6m to let him leave.
Clubs in Saudi Arabia, England and Germany all believed to be keeping a close eye on the forward’s situation.
The Greece international was on the bench for the Celts’ 2-1 win over Livingston on Wednesday (21 December) and replaced Furuhashi for the final ten minutes.
According to the Daily Record (21 December), target Cho Gue-Sung looks set to depart current club Jeonbuk with the Scottish champions in the race for his signature.
McAvennie insisted the Hoops need to hold on to Giakoumakis and sign another striker.
“I think they want to keep him,” he told Football Insider.
“He is something different from Kyogo. It is great because he can come on and change the game, they are not like for like.
“If he brings another striker in, that is three and it will be very good. Ange is not scared to make a change which is great.“
In other news, Alistair Johnston could be set for Celtic debut after latest development – ‘he will play’, says expert.