Utrecht are ‘doing everything to keep’ Celtic loanee Vasilis Barkas in the Eredivisie after a fine season away from Ange Postecoglou’s Scottish Premiership champions.
After an error-strewn spell at Parkhead, the Greek international goalkeeper departed for the Netherlands hoping to rebuild his stained reputation. And he’s certainly done just that.
Barkas has been one of the most impressive shot-stoppers around since arriving in Dutch football. He’s kept nine clean sheets in all competitions. Barkas’ Utrecht side are still in contention for a European finish too; seventh in the table with just four Eredivisie games remaining.
A Europa League or Conference League spot would do their hopes of signing Barkas on a permanent basis no harm.
But Frans Van Seumeren, Utrecht’s long-serving owner, accepts that retaining a man who once set Celtic back a hefty £4.5 million may be beyond them.
Has Vasilis Barkas played his last game for Celtic already?
“For the upcoming season, we will be forced to sell some players. Just like previous seasons. There are several players whose contract will expire soon, and we are discussing that,” Van Seumeren says in quotes reported by Utrecht Fans.
“FC Utrecht is busy with the arrival of Barkas. But it is a difficult issue.
“As a club, we are doing everything we can to keep him here. But other clubs are interested after his successful season.”
Clubs who may possess more financial muscle; offering Celtic the opportunity to recoup as much of their £4.5 million outlay as possible.
Barkas, who was labelled ‘fantastic’ earlier in the season by former Utrecht coach Henk Fraser, is likely to be a little on the expensive side as far as the Stadion Galgenwaard outfit are concerned.
“We have to talk about realistic purchase options. A club like FC Utrecht, which cannot afford huge transfer amounts, has to be creative. By loaning players first, we buy time,” sporting director Jordy Zuidam said earlier in the year.
“Vasilis Barkas will return to Celtic. He is too expensive for FC Utrecht.”
Barkas lost his starting spot to Joe Hart under Ange Postecoglou in 2021.
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