McManus: Giorgos Giakoumakis certain to be sold after Celtic development – ‘I don’t blame him’
Giorgos Giakoumakis will be sold by Celtic before the January transfer window closes.
That’s according to former Hibernian striker Tam McManus, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the Hoops hitman’s future.
According to Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph (16 January), the Celts have accepted an offer from Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds for the 28-year-old.
The initial fee is believed to be £3m and Giakoumakis is believed to be weighing his options amid strong interest from Atlanta United.
The striker’s Parkhead contract runs until 2026 but attempts to tie down the Greece international to a longer-term deal have failed.
McManus can’t see the striker at Parkhead after the window closes.
“The worst thing that can happen is that this drags on and a day or two before the window closes, he leaves,” McManus told Football Insider‘s Ben Wild.
“That leaves Celtic in a real pickle. He wasn’t involved against St Mirren, I don’t think he’s going to be there. I think he’s going to be sold.
“He is 28 and came from a smaller club in Holland. He is probably thinking this is his last big move and he wants to get a big payday to secure his future.
“I genuinely don’t blame him for that. It’s a short career. I don’t think he is going to get that kind of money at Celtic, they have a strict wage structure.
“He won’t get what he wants. For everyone involved, you are looking for a quick outcome, a swift deal that lets Celtic go out and get a replacement.
“They don’t want to be left scrambling in the last days of the window if he goes late.”
In other news, Celtic have been backed to accept Daizen Maeda offer after latest – ‘he’s away,’ says expert.