Vasilis Barkas has been backed to thrive at Celtic once his move to Glasgow is complete, with Greek legend Nikos Sarganis telling PressForm that the AEK Athens star could become one of Europe’s finest goalkeepers.
With just days remaining until the new Scottish Premiership season kicks off, Celtic appear to have made a breakthrough in their pursuit of a new number one.
Two years after his goalkeeping masterclass helped AEK knock Celtic out of the Champions League in the qualification stage, the Glasgow Evening Times reports that Barkas is travelling to Britain to undergo a medical ahead of a £5 million move.
The Dutch-born 26-year-old inspired AEK to Super League glory in 2018. Should he repeat the feat in Scotland, he will have a place in history with Neil Lennon’s side on the verge of their tenth successive title triumph.
And Sarganis, who made 58 appearances for Greece between 1980 and 1991, believes Barkas will take his game to an all-new level after stepping out of his homeland.
“Vasilis is a ‘keeper I like a lot. He’s very stable and his reactions are sharp. He’s also very good with his feet, which is important now for a goalkeeper. He’s comfortable with both feet,” Sarganis says.
“He has a presence about him which relaxes his teammates and the AEK defenders. He comes for crosses and is good in the air and his handling technique is very good too.
“I think he is very consistent and that is why he has attracted a lot of interest from teams. I personally told him he should go abroad to improve his all-round game. He has the potential to be one of the better keepers in European football.
“I can’t recall him making many mistakes either. For me, Vasilis will be Greece’s goalkeeper for many years in the future. He has the personality you need, the self-confidence and the respect of his teammates.
“Wherever he ends up, I know he will succeed.”
While Lennon’s Celtic are not quite as possession-heavy as Brendan Rodgers’ version, the Hoops still tend to dominate the ball in most domestic games.
And Barkas, who is as useful with his feet as he is with his hands, should allow Celtic to build from the back with more regularity in 2020/21.
The real test, however, is whether he can replicate the virtuoso, Man of the Match performances of Forster – particularly in Europe.
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