Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain - October 25, 2022. Celtic's Giorgios Giakoumakis shoots.
Celtic striker Georgios Giakoumakis’ mindset over a potential move away has left Andy Walker stumped.
The Lowdown: Giakoumakis on the move?
Giakoumakis has been heavily touted with a move away from Parkhead just 18 months after arriving in the SPFL.
The Greek striker joined from VVV-Venlo for £2.5m, penning a five-year contract in the process but GlasgowLive reported that he took a pay cut to make the deal happen on the promise that he would receive improved terms after a successful first season.
However, the Daily Record have since claimed that the 28-year-old has been left unhappy with no new terms agreed.
The Latest: What’s going on?
According to The Scottish Sun, Giakoumakis is now a target for Danish side Midtjylland who are lining up a move for the £6m rated man.
The news prompted former Celtic man Walker to question whether there is more than just a contract dispute going on behind the scenes with the Greece international, saying on The Go Radio Football Show Podcast:
(45:51) “I’m just surprised, I don’t know what’s happened, he seemed to be settled in and I don’t know whether he’s got family issues or whether he just doesn’t fancy Scottish football, I have no idea but it seemed to turn quite quickly for Giakoumakis.
“I know he’s maybe frustrated at the lack of game time, but I’ve always enjoyed his attitude when he’s come on, he’s been really switched on and he’s always made an impact so yes, a strange one, but if he goes absolutely Celtic will cash in and look to get someone else.”
The Verdict: Future looks ominous
Giakoumakis is a popular figure at Parkhead, scoring 25 times in 55 games since making a belated debut due to injury, netting on his first start at home to St Johnstone.
He ended last season with 17 goals in just 29 games as the Bhoys won the Scottish Premiership, a successful season if ever there was one from the Greek’s point of view.
But now his future hangs completely in the balance with there seemingly being several factors to a wanted exit from Scotland.
With the likeliest source of his unhappiness stemming from the contract dispute, Ange Postecoglou’s side holds the key on whether to cash in for potentially three times what they paid for him or to offer him a new deal that his place and importance to the squad should merit.
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