The lack of Premier League interest in Celtic striker Giorgios Giakoumakis comes as a surprise to VVV Venlo chief Marco Boogers, telling Voetbal International that when the Greek international plays he very often scores.
The well-travelled Giakoumakis is one of those centre-forwards they don’t tend to make anymore. He’s not particularly quick, or formidably strong. He doesn’t tend to dribble with the ball, link the play, or offer much of note outside of the penalty area.
But give Giakoumakis the ball inside the 18-yard box, and he’ll stick it away with a ruthless, almost effortless efficiency. In 44 league starts for Celtic and VVV Venlo, Giakoumakis has scored no fewer than 41 goals.
And, while top-flight managers tend to demand a little more variety from their strikers these days, the fact remains that goals win football matches. And with so many clubs south of the border lacking a reliable number nine, Boogers is surprised by the lack of English interest in the 2021 Eredivisie Golden Boot winner.
Giorgos Giakoumakis could still leave Celtic with clubs in America and Japan keen
“We had the hope that he would make a step to the Premier League. That tradition is there, with Celtic players,” says Boogers, highlighting the sale of Odsonne Edouard to Selhurst Park around 18 months ago.
“Recently, another striker went to Crystal Palace, for £17 million I think. In the Premier League, such amounts are easily paid. We hoped that Giakoumakis would also make such a big transfer.
“It is also quite strange that English clubs have not yet come. He presents great statistics. When he plays, he scores. He proved that in Venlo, and then in Glasgow. Also in the Champions League, and for the Greek national team.”
The Scottish window closed on Tuesday night. There is still an expectation that Giakoumakis will bid farewell to Celtic in the coming days, however; Football Scotland pointing out that clubs in America and Japan still have plenty of time to bring in new additions during their off-season break.
MLS outfit Atlanta United appear to be the frontrunners for Giakoumakis at this stage. Former West Ham forward Boogers, meanwhile, believes that a potential switch to the Far East with Urawa Red Diamonds is currently unlikely.
“He is very careful in making a choice. Given his age, I expect that the financial aspect will play an important role,” Boogers adds.
“At Urawa Red Diamonds, he would become a team-mate of (former VVV favourite) Bryan Linssen. I have been in contact with Bryan, who told me that Jako was seriously (on the radar) there.
“Apparently, he has now made a different choice. Although I say that carefully because, as far as I know, nothing is final yet.”
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