---
title: "Celtic: Georgios Giakoumakis wanted to be a top earner"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-georgios-giakoumakis-wanted-top-earner-transfer-bhoys-hoops-contract-postecoglou/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Cameron Winstanley"
section: "Celtic News"
published: "2023-02-05T16:10:36Z"
modified: "2023-02-05T16:10:36Z"
---

# Celtic: Georgios Giakoumakis wanted to be a top earner

**[Celtic](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-news/) wantaway striker Georgios Giakoumakis wanted to become a top earner at Parkhead leading to his exit, according to Anthony Joseph.**

### **The Lowdown: Giakoumakis on the move**

Greek striker Giakoumakis is set to leave Celtic in the coming days with a move to Atlanta United in the MLS the likely destination, with [Fabrizio Romano](https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1621943563444445184) revealing he’s heading to Mexico to join up with Atlanta’s pre-season ahead of a £4.3m move.

The 28-year-old arrived 18 months ago after netting [17](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/georgios-giakoumakis/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/234850/plus/0?saison=2021&verein=&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=&trainer_id=) times in 29 games across all competitions, he’s since found himself playing second fiddle to Kyogo Furuhashi with just [four](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/georgios-giakoumakis/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/234850/plus/0?saison=2022&verein=&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=&trainer_id=) [SPFL](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/scottish-premiership-news/) appearances coming his way this campaign.

He’s been left out of the five previous squads as his departure becomes imminent from Glasgow.

### **The Latest: Joseph’s comments**

Speaking to [The Celtic Exchange](https://thecelticexchange.supercast.com/subscriber/feed_items), Sky Sports reporter Joseph revealed that Giakoumakis had become disgruntled at Celtic Park for a while and gave an update on the deal that is so far not official, saying:

(46:56) “Our understanding is that Giakoumakis was looking for improved terms and wanted more playing time, I think he felt he was promised more playing time.

“I don’t know the part about Ange not being happy about what he was asking for but I know that talks broke down between Giakoumakis and the club, he wanted to be one of the top earners at the club.”

“Over in America, there’s more complexities to a transfer, especially an integral international transfer inwards to the MLS, so as far as I was aware on deadline day that’s what was putting the move on hold, and there’s no rush with either club actually.”

\[freshpress-quiz id=”419088″\]

### **The Verdict: Unsurprising departure**

It’s unsurprising to see Giakoumakis head for the Celtic Park exit door amid the issues going on behind closed doors regarding his contract demands, with a lack of game time also down to the brilliant form that Furuhashi has enjoyed this season, with the Japanese the SPFL’s [top scorer](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/scottish-premiership/top-scorers).

Celtic’s highest earner according to [salary sport](https://salarysport.com/football/scottish-premiership/celtic/) is captain Callum McGregor on £32k-per-week whilst the Greece international earns just £12k-per-week, but given Furuhashi’s form a bumper deal bringing him closer to McGregor would likely see him eclipse the 28-year-old’s salary, not something Celtic would be open to doing.

Postecoglou has also already moved to bring in Giakoumakis’ replacement with South Korean striker Hyeon-gyu Oh joining for a fee of £3m last month (via [Daily Record](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-transfer-news/oh-hyeon-gyu-completes-celtic-29014560)), all but ending any chance that Giakoumakis would remain at the club.