Celtic aren’t really in a position to sell want-away striker Giorgos Giakoumakis until his replacement is found and has signed on the dotted line and both the incoming and outgoing transfer deals are dragging on with both deals having as many twists and turns as the late, great Tommy Burns in his prime.
Both transfer stories have grown arms and legs over the last few days. Giakoumakis was set to be heading to Japan and that story seemed to unleash a flood of interest in the Greek striker from Italy, United States, Russia (remarkably), Germany and the Middle East.
Giorgos Giakoumakis celebrates after he scores his team’s fifth goal during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Kilmarnock FC and Celtic FC at on August 14, 2022. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
While over in South Korea the news seemed positive in that it looks like Celtic target Cho Gue-sung will be sold in this window rather than the summer as his club Jeonbuk Hyundai had previously insisted and Celtic’s £3m bid was leading the way with early rivals for the World Cup striker falling by the wayside.
Then theRangers emerged into the story with their interest being reported although predictably enough no bid mentioned. Propaganda from down river, mischief making by an agent looking to force Celtic’s hand or wishful thinking from some blue-nose hack hungry for a story, who really knows? Celtic Gossip describe this link as clickbait nonsense this morning.
South Korea’s forward #09 Cho Gue-sung celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group H football match between South Korea and Ghana at the Education City Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha, on November 28, 2022. (Photo by JUNG Yeon-je / AFP) (Photo by JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images)
Then South Korean outlet Sports Chosun, who have been the main source of factual information on this transfer saga, report that MLS outfit Minnesota Utd have launched a £4.1M bid for Celtic target Cho Gue-sung. This is or course significantly more than the reported offers on the table from Celtic/Mainz have offered.
That higher bid though has one flaw, in that the player himself is looking for a move to Europe and the MSL is unlikely to meet his own aspirations especially after he stood out at the World Cup in Qatar.
Celtic will of course be well aware of developments at the Korean end of the action and will also have full knowledge of what’s happening at Celtic Park as Michael Nicholson handles all enquiries for Giakoumakis.
Fabrizio Romano yesterday reported increasing interest in the Celtic striker. “Giōrgos Giakoumakīs could now leave Celtic as many clubs are approaching the Greek striker. MLS, Japan clubs, also Sampdoria have asked for the conditions of the deal,” the transfer expert reported.
Celtic v Heart of Midlothian Cinch Scottish Premiership 21/08/2022. GOAL Celtic s Georgios Giakoumakis celebrates after scoring a goal during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Heart of Midlothian at Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland on 21 August 2022. Photo Malcolm Mackenzie PSI
Urawa Red Diamonds appeared to be leading the race for the player but Michael Nicholson will be interested to see how additional interest materialises as the transfer fee is set to hit £8m.
That though is exactly the same game that his counterparts at Jeonbuk Hyundai are also playing trying to maximise the fee for the Celtic target. This chicken and egg saga looks far from approaching the finishing line.