McManus: Celtic planning to sell Giorgos Giakoumakis ‘immediately’ after update
Celtic are preparing to sell Giorgos Giakoumakis this window and a deal could be completed quickly.
That’s according to former Hibernian striker Tam McManus, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about Giakoumakis’ future.
According to the Daily Record (10 January), Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds have offered the 28-year-old double his current salary in an attempt to land a deal for the striker.
The J-League side face competition from clubs in Germany, Russia and Italy to land the Greece international and are believed to be prepared to pay £4million to get a deal done.
The forward’s contract runs until 2026 and he rejected attempts from Parkhead bosses to tie him down longer-term.
McManus claims Giakoumakis will be sold “immediately” if a new striker arrives at Parkhead this month.
“This is rumbling on now,” McManus told Football Insider‘s Ben Wild.
“He and his agent have come from a small club in Holland so he obviously isn’t on big money at Celtic. I think he has had assurances that if he did well then he could have his contract bumped up.
“That has obviously not happened. Ange is ruthless in terms of I don’t think he has favourites. Kyogo has come in as well and last season Ange would play one of them one week and open the next.
“But this season Kyogo is starting every game and that must be so frustrating for Giakoumakis. He signed a five-year deal, Celtic are in control of this situation but you don’t want an unhappy player in the dressing room.
“It will be interesting to see if Celtic get a decent offer for him, whether they accept that.
“They have been linked with a few strikers this January so if one comes in then it opens the door for Giakoumakis to leave immediately.”
In other news, McManus predicts Celtic to seal £10m+ Josip Juranovic sale after updates