Celtic always knew that they’d probably have to use the World Cup break as an opportunity to find a replacement for one of Ange Postecoglou’s Premiership-winning stars (Daily Record).
Josip Juranovic has been linked iwth Atletico Madrid, Manchester United and co in recent times. And there is an acceptance at Parkhead that a parting of the ways is likely to occur sooner rather than later.
What the Hoops did not anticipate, however, is that they’d be forced into the market for someone capable to stepping into Giorgios Giakoumakis’ shoes too.
While Celtic are reportedly preparing for Juranovic’s farewell, with Canada’s Alistair Johnston close to arriving in a £4 million deal, news of Giakoumakis’ potential January departure certainly came out of the blue.
According to the Record, the Greek targetman is likely to leave as early as next month. Both parties appear unable to reach an agreement on a new and improved contract, with Giakoumakis seemingly underwhelmed by the terms put forward by Celtic.
And there certainly won’t be any shortage of interest in a striker who, in the last two-and-a-half seasons, has 55 goals in all competitions for club and country.
Who will replace Giorgios Giakoumakis at Celtic?
The bad news, of course, is that Giakoumakis won’t be easy to replace. While hardly a fixture of Postecoglou’s XI, the 2021 Eredivisie Golden Boot winner is an excellent squad member. A prolific source of goals. And a more-than-useful option to bring off the bench.
What’s more, clubs won’t exactly be queuing up to send their own star striker to Celtic during the January transfer window.
The good news, however, is that Celtic may have already laid the groundwork for life after Giakoumakis. According to the Scottish Sun, South Korea’s Cho Gue-Sung is a target. He scored twice in the thrilling 3-2 World Cup group-stage defeat to Ghana. Strong, physical and rangy at 6ft 2ins, Cho certainly ticks a lot of boxes. And he is well known to Postecoglou after scoring against his Yokohama F Marinos side in the Asian Champions League.
Cho is not the only potential Giakoumakis replacement Postecoglou has witnessed at close quarters however. Ladislav Almasi reportedly caught Celtic’s eye during a pre-season clash with Banik Ostrava a few months ago. And he is keen to point out that he finds such speculation flattering.
“It’s definitely motivation (for me),” Almasi smiled.
Giakoumakis out, Ladislav Almasi in at Parkhead?
At 6ft 5ins, the beanpole Slovakian is actually four inches taller than Giakoumakis. He plays in pretty much the same way too. Most of Almasi’s goals over recent times are eerily reminiscent of Giakoumakis at his best; first-time, predatory finishes from inside the penalty area. Unsurprisingly, given his size, Almasi is outstanding in the air. He has five in seven league games this term for Banik Ostrava.
And it’s not hard to imagine the 23-year-old man-mountain taking his game to an all-new level alongside such creative talent as Jota, Reo Hatate and Liel Abada at Parkhead.
The breakdown of negotiations over Giakoumakis’ future may have left Celtic in the lurch. But, with one whole month until the January window opens, Postecoglou and co have four long weeks to get a replacement through the door even before the final New Years firework lights up the Glasgow sky.
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