---
title: "Celtic: Carton baffled by situation surrounding Giakoumakis"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/carton-baffled-giakoumakis-celtic-exit/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Mark Murphy"
section: "Celtic News"
published: "2023-01-10T19:00:12Z"
modified: "2023-01-10T19:00:12Z"
---

# Celtic: Carton baffled by situation surrounding Giakoumakis

**67 Hail Hail’s Hamish Carton has been left baffled by the situation surrounding [Celtic](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-transfer-rumours/) striker [Giorgos Giakoumakis](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tag/georgios-giakoumakis/).**

### The Lowdown: J-League side moving in for Giakoumakis

A report from Japan (via [The Scotsman](https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/giorgos-giakoumakis-celtic-exit-gathers-pace-as-urawa-red-diamonds-make-their-move-3978395)) has stated that Urawa Red Diamonds are ‘moving to acquire’ the [Scottish Premiership](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/scottish-premiership-news/) striker.

In late November of last year, it was [reported](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-transfer-news/giorgos-giakoumakis-poised-shock-celtic-28622154) that talks had stalled between the player and the club, while the Greek forward has also been linked with moves to [Saudi Arabia](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/9918627/celtic-giorgos-giakoumakis-saudi-arabia-transfer-talks-contract-stall/) and [Denmark](https://www.bt.dk/superligaen/bt-afsloerer-fc-midtjylland-jagter-giorgos-giakoumakis) in recent weeks.

Joining the Hoops in September 2021 for a fee of £2.5m from [VVV-Venlo](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11787/12396075/celtic-transfer-news-georgios-giakoumakis-joins-parkhead-side-from-vvv-venlo-on-a-five-year-deal), Giakoumakis has [six goals and one assist](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/georgios-giakoumakis/leistungsdaten/spieler/234850) to his name in the Scottish Premiership this season from 19 appearances.

### The Latest: Carton reacts to potential Giakoumakis exit

Speaking on the [67 Hail Hail YouTube channel](https://youtu.be/_b2jWLUHjD0), Carton was left baffled by the reports linking Giakoumakis to the J-League. However, he claims there is still a way to go as far as a move is concerned for the 28-year-old.

He stated: “Talk of Giorgos Giakoumakis on the way to Japan, what is going on here? Urawa Red Diamonds are interested in him. I guess it’s about time that we kind of gave the J-League some talents back given that we’re taking so many over to the club.

“I still think this has a way to go as well, I’ve not seen anything massively concrete on this; it all seems to have originated from one report in Japan.”

### The Verdict: Giakoumakis is a wanted man

It’s clear the whole situation surrounding Giakoumakis is all up in the air, but if [Ange Postecoglou](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tag/ange-postecoglou/) and the Hoops were to lose him, we think it would be a big blow.

Since making the move to Parkhead, the forward has 25 goals in 56 games across [all competitions](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/georgios-giakoumakis/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/234850), and that firepower won’t be easy to replace.

Celtic should ensure that before any potential sale of the Greek striker that they get as much as they possibly can so they can bring in a suitable replacement.

They won’t want it to impact their pursuit of the Scottish Premiership with the Hoops [nine points](https://www.skysports.com/scottish-premier-table) clear at the top of the league, as a significant loss to their squad could see results flounder and Rangers ramping up the pressure on them.

But with Giakoumakis [out of the starting XI](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/georgios-giakoumakis/leistungsdaten/spieler/234850) at present, it could be seen as a risk worth taking.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”419088″\]