Celtic plotting to sign Giakoumakis replacement after Sky update - pundit
Alan Hutton has suggested Celtic could replace Georgios Giakoumakis with Yokahama F. Marinos striker Daizen Maeda.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Rangers defender admitted the summer signing has failed to impress since joining from VVV-Venlo.
As reported by Sky Sports on Monday (6 December), Ange Postecoglou wants to reunite with Maeda, 24, at Parkhead in January after working together at Yokohama.
Reo Hatate and Yosuke Ideguchi are also reportedly targets for the Bhoys.
Having seen Giakoumakis struggle at Parkhead, Hutton suggested Maeda could "fill the void".
Discussing Maeda's pre-existing relationship with Postecoglou, Hutton told Football Insider's Russell Edge: "I think it always helps when someone's coming in, especially from a different country.
"If they're coming into a club where they know the manager, they know his philosophy, how he's going to play football, of course it helps.
"The question is is it a step up in class? You look at Giakoumakis who's come in with is goalscoring record. He's not really hit the ground running.
"Maybe they're looking for somebody else who can come in and fill that void. You can't just have Kyogo. You can't just rely on him and Jota, you need other options.
"He'll be hoping that it is the same kind of transfer as Kyogo Furuhashi."
Giakoumakis has scored once in eight appearances for Celtic so far this season.
Meanwhile, Maeda netted 12 times in 50 games playing under Postecgolou at Yokohama.
The two-cap Japan international finished as top scorer for the 2021 campaign, with 23 goals under his belt.