£8m Giakoumakis to Urawa Reds, medical booked, it’s no-go-for-Cho but new striker is imminent

It looks like Giorgos Giakoumakis is leaving Celtic to sign for J-League side Urawa Red Diamonds while Celtic will NOT it appears be the destination for Korean Vogue cover star Cho Gue-sung who is going to stay at his current club before perhaps making the move to Germany in the summer. Can’t believe that there will be too many disappointed Celtic supporters at this one falling through.

Cho Gue-sung celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup match between South Korea and Ghan, on November 28, 2022. (Photo by JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images)

However while Giakoumakis looks like he’s making the move from the Scottish Premiership champions to the J-League there could be two players moving in the other direction with Celtic looking at bringing in both Thiago Santana – the top goalscorer in the J_League last season – and his teammate Yuito Suzuki.

So Shimizu S Pulse’s Brazilian striker Thiago Santos Santana could be the replacement for Giakoumakis now that the deal for Cho Gue-sung has fallen through…The report also claims Celtic may look to add his teammate Yuito Suzuki. The winger has previously been touted with a move to Glasgow’s east end, with reports suggesting Club Brugge are also weighing up a move.

You following all that?

Everything Celtic reports on Celtic’s chase for the Cho Gue-sung being over. They report: “Cho Gue-sung won’t be joining Celtic. The player has decided to remain at Jeonbuk as the club rejected Mainz offer. It seems the player felt he wasn’t wanted enough by Celtic who approached other candidates as well as Cho.

“It looks like Jeonbuk Hyundai has rejected all offers for the Korean striker. That would mean he never got to the point he had to make a decision to join Celtic or not but it appears not being the first choice as he would at Mainz meant the Germans were his priority.”

On Giakoumakis leaving Celtic to sign for Urawa Red Diamonds the Japanese media reports state that there is a medical booked and the player will make the journey shortly with a deal having been agreed with Celtic yesterday. In terms of the transfer fee Celtic will receive, reported to be £8m, that’s much better than the cheeky offers supposedly on the table from clubs in Italy and France.

See this…Today’s sponichi saying it’s confirmed Urawa Reds have got Giakoumakis. Heading to Japan for medical and then official announcement…

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor David Faulds has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

1 Comment

  1. Feck him! Others leave the J League as it’s a big move for them .. & GG actually GOES there?? Daft of him & he’ll sack that agent next season when he realises what he’s dropped down to (& after the agent takes his fees, of course!)