Swedish side IFK Goteborg have lodged a late enquiry over a potential loan transfer to sign outcast Celtic goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas for the rest of the season, according to Sky Sports.
The Bhoys are open to offers for the shot-stopper, after falling further down the Parkhead pecking order this season. Ange Postecoglou has only deployed the 27-year-old twice in all competitions so far this term. His sole Premiership outing also came amid Joe Hart’s injury.
Hart instantly displaced Barkas as the Hoops’ first-choice upon moving to Glasgow from Tottenham Hotspur for just £1m last summer. The former England international has played 33 games and kept 15 clean sheets. Barkas has only made 24 outings since joining in 2020.
Celtic paid AEK Athens £4.5m under Neil Lennon to sign Barkas as their new number one to replace Fraser Forster. Lennon lauded the Greek goalkeeper’s early efforts, but he has since proven to be error-prone. Postecoglou has also only named him in two Premiership squads.
“[I was] delighted with Barkas. He looked a great goalkeeper today,” Lennon told Celtic TV after beating Ross County 5-0 in September 2020. “He made some really good saves… He’s looked so assured and comfortable; he’s shown today what his qualities are.”
Goteborg lodge late loan transfer enquiry for Celtic goalkeeper Barkas
Goteborg are now keen to capitalise on Barkas’ lack of games at Celtic to seal a last-ditch loan transfer. But there is a big catch in the eight-place Allsvenskan outfit’s late enquiry.
Mikael Stahre’s Gamla Ullevi natives have asked that the Hoops continue paying a large per cent of his £9k-a-week salary. Goteborg cannot afford to sign Barkas in a loan transfer from Celtic unless the Bhoys accept covering the bulk of his wage while away from Parkhead.
Celtic have invited bids for Barkas since November, either for loan or permanent transfers, per The Athletic. But talks to send the 13-cap international to Championship side Sheffield United fell through this week, per The Daily Mail. So, Goteborg may now be their best bet.
A move to Goteborg could give Barkas a chance to feature regularly and potentially attract transfer suitors for the summer. His Celtic contract is not due to expire until summer 2024.
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