Celtic striker Giorgos Giakoumakis will ‘definitely leave’ Parkhead, should Ange Postecoglou add another forward, according to pundit Frank McAvennie.
The Lowdown: Source shares update
The Hoops have already brought in two forwards this year in Daizen Maeda and Johnny Kenny.
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Jota is also closing in on a permanent transfer, with sources close to Football Insider claiming Celtic want another wide forward on top of Maeda and Jota.
One player who has been linked is Shabab Al-Ahli's Mehdi Ghayedi, and should the Hoops bring another in, McAvennie thinks Giakoumakis could make way.
The Latest: McAvennie’s comments
McAvennie was talking to Football Insider following the possibility of Celtic signing another forward.
He believes a third forward could spell trouble for Giakoumakis, who cost the club £2.25m over the summer when Dominic McKay was CEO.
“I’ll never say no to new strikers coming in.
“I think we have some great strikers. Kyogo has obviously proved it and the new guy Maeda is really exciting.
“I look at Ajeti and he’s not done it. I’ve said enough about him at this point.
“Giakoumakis, he’s not done anything really, has he? He barely plays and I do wonder why did we sign him?
“I don’t know if it’s a fitness thing or if he’s not up to the task but he was on fire last season.
“He doesn’t look right here. I just wonder if a loan spell might be best for him.
“I think if another striker comes in then he will definitely leave. The squad needs to be smaller now, not bigger.”
The Verdict: Patience required
Giakoumakis is an out-and-out centre-forward, whereas Maeda can turn out on the wing along with Jota.
The 27-year-old has only started two games for Celtic due to injury, so patience may be needed instead of shipping him out months after spending millions.
Should the Hoops add another striker this month to grant Postecoglou his wish of a third wide forward, then perhaps it would be wise to sell Albian Ajeti instead, who has had numerous chances in Glasgow.
Reports in November suggested Celtic would look to cut their losses on Ajeti, and if they do, that would leave Giakoumakis to battle Kyogo Furuhashi and Maeda for a central role.
In other news: Journalist drops big transfer claim as Celtic eye £12.5m-rated midfielder; Ange 'a big admirer'.