Celtic striker Giorgos Giakoumakis is yet to accept a transfer to Urawa Red Diamonds in the January window. The Greece ace is still mulling a move with Atlanta United also interested.
That is according to Sky Sports, which reports Celtic have now agreed on a fee with Urawa Red Diamonds for Giakoumakis’ transfer. The J-League side are prepared to pay the Hoops an initial £3m for the 28-year-old’s switch. He cost the Bhoys £2.5m when signing in 2021.
Celtic are willing to offload Ange Postecoglou’s capture from VVV-Venlo after talks over his new contract broke down. Giakoumakis was in discussions over fresh terms at Parkhead at the end of 2022. But the two parties did not settle on the terms of a contract in December.
Now, Urawa Red Diamonds are hopeful of winning the fight for Giakoumakis’ transfer after agreeing on a fee with Celtic. But the forward is still to green light any switch to Japan with the 11-cap star also now a target of Major League Soccer outfit Atlanta United this month.
But Atlanta United are yet to make Celtic a bid for Giakoumakis, who has nine goals and an assist in 28 appearances this term. The Heraklion-born striker boasts 26 goals across his 57 appearances with the Hoops in all competitions since moving to Glasgow from VVV-Venlo.
Giakoumakis interest complicates the Celtic star’s transfer to Urawa Red Diamonds
Celtic and Giakoumakis failing to agree to a new contract for the forward has alerted many teams to his possible transfer availability beyond Urawa Red Diamonds. Gianluca Di Marzio noted Serie A side Sampdoria and the striker had agreed on personal terms for him to join.
Reports by L’Equipe also claimed that Bordeaux had made Celtic an offer for the 6ft striker. The Ligue 2 promotion-hopefuls bid between €2.5m and €3m (£2-2.5m). But the Bhoys can chase a profit on Postecoglou’s investment with Giakoumakis under contract to June 2026.
Danish Superligaen side FC Midtjylland have also held talks with Giakoumakis over a move this month, per BT. But Urawa Red Diamonds have regularly led the race with The Scottish Sun reporting they are confident of a deal that could reach up to Celtic’s £8m asking price.
Giakoumakis – who ex-Hoops star Pierre van Hooijdonk once called ‘top-class’ – still seems to be on the fence, though. So, the forward could now complicate any move to Urawa Red Diamonds amid Atlanta United’s interest. Even if Celtic accepted the J-League side’s offer.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
