Fabrizio Romano has posted another update on the Giorgos Giakoumakis transfer saga and it’s now looking close to the time when the Greek striker leaves the Hoops, something very few Celtic fans would like to see happen.
And to make matters worse the transfer expert has quoted the transfer fee that Celtic will receive and it is much less that the £8m that was being reported last week.
Romano reports: “Urawa Red Diamonds have reached an agreement with Celtic for transfer of Giōrgos Giakoumakīs. Understand it’s €4m package. MLS side Atlanta still trying to sign the player — while personal terms are still under discussion with Urawa.”
Urawa Reds is a club in Saitama, Japan. 60,000 supporters will come to Saitama Stadium to support the team. It is no exaggeration to say that it is the number one club in Asia. This image is a visual created by 60,000 people pic.twitter.com/IvagwQMWuz
— 全ては浦和のために。 (@URAWAREDSGASUKI) January 16, 2023
While few folk actually know what is going in these situations it seems rather remarkable that Celtic are prepared to let the player go for such a small transfer fee, having paid VVV Venlo around £2.5m for the player in the summer 2021 transfer window.
The Greek striker posted an ambiguous message on his Instagram account after scoring the second goal in Celtic’ 2-0 League Cup semi-final win over Kilmarnock on Saturday afternoon at Hampden.
“Enjoy every moment like it’s your last! On to the final! Thank you for the immense support,” Giakoumakis wrote, leaving Celtic fans guessing where that means he’s looking forward to playing in the final at the end of next month or that his goal against Kilmarnock will turn out to be his last for Celtic.
Giakoumakis played a significant role in Celtic winning the league last season and he will be missed if he is for the off. We’ll certainly wish him the best of luck but will also be very sorry to see him go.
View this post on Instagram
Celtic have accepted an offer from Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds for striker Giorgos Giakoumakis.@SkySportsNews understands the initial fee is £3m.
However, Giakoumakis is still weighing up his options, amid strong interest from Atlanta United.
(w/@SkySportsLyall) pic.twitter.com/4wrZSwdX5S
— Anthony Joseph (@AnthonyRJoseph) January 16, 2023
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If ge is sold and no replacement is bought then we are back to one forward then that does not a good move.
While being stronger in other areas we will be weaker at the top end of the park.
Is it just me or have transfer negotiations started to drag ever since Lawwell came back as Chairman.
GG has NOT received a formal offer from the Urawa Reds.
I would stake my life savings on the above statement being true (well … if someone offered me decent odds).
This entire story was fabricated. I can prove this. Yes, the Reds were (and remain) interested in Giakoumakis, but from the off, it was clear that they didnt have the money to afford a genuine bid. The Reds had a terrible financial year last season and that was WHY they had to sell Kaspar Junker in the first place. THEY COULD NOT AFFORD HIS SALARY!
Since Junker was making 1.5M Euro a year, obviously, there is no way that Reds could possibly afford to pay him more than 1.5 M a year (if they could, they wouldna have sold Junker!) Though transfer fees can be a bit easier to budget and pay off in some later year, most informed sources say that the maximum that Reds could afford is around E3 million.
Clearly, this isnt enough for Reds to make an offer that Celtic might accept. Therefore, while the two teams may have been in discussions, everyone “in the know” was aware that the figures people were discussing in the Europress were fanciful in the extreme. No offer was ever tendered by Reds. Celtic never accepted any such offer. If the DR has evidence to the contrary, they need to show it.
Trust me. They dont have any.