Celtic flop Vasilis Barkas has reportedly been offered a two-year contract by FC Utrecht. The 29-year-old, who spent last season on loan in the Dutch league, will likely complete a move back to Utrecht. The player was released by Celtic with a year remaining on his deal but now looks to have found a new club.
Celtic had tried to sell Barkas in two summer windows but have struggled to find any suitable clubs willing to pay a fee for the Greek Internationalist. It resulted in the loan deal to the Netherlands, where the player impressed but his salary and the buy-out fee were too great for the Dutch club.
Michael Nicholson and Celtic decided to cut ties with the player earlier this summer as they opted against exercising the option for a fourth year on his deal. The decision meant that Utrecht were able to sign the player, who would probably have struggled to get a move owing to his high wages.
Barkas has just two appearances in the 2021/22 season and found himself down the pecking order at Celtic. The arrival of Hart as well as Scott Bain being given a new deal suggests that the prospect of ever breaking back into the first team was slim.
Albian Ajeti could certainly take notice of Barkas’ fortunes as he faces a crossroads with regards to his Celtic future. Celtic have reportedly offered the player the opportunity to pay-up his contract, which would allow him to depart the club for free this year.