Celtic have suffered a blow in their pursuit of a new striker with AEK Athens president Dimitris Melissanidis insisting that Levi Garcia is ‘not for sale’ this summer.
On the face of it, Celtic haven’t exactly missed Giorgios Giakoumakis since his mid-season switch to Major League Soccer. Especially with Kyogo Furuhashi breaking the 30-goal barrier, and January recruit Oh Hyeon-Gyu going from strength to strength.
Then again, Giakoumakis’ departure does leave Ange Postecoglou with just two natural centre-forward options. While Celtic have more depth than a JR Tolkien novel in many other positions, they remain one lengthy injury away from potential disaster in the number nine spot.
Hence why a number of strikers – Zan Vipotnik, Eduvie Ikoba and the aforementioned Levi Garcia – have all been linked, the rumour mill turning as the transfer window creaks open.
Celtic will not be signing AEK Athens talisman Levi Garcia
According to the Scottish Sun, Celtic sent scouts to watch Trinidad and Tobago international Garcia score a penalty during AEK Athens’ recent Greek Super League clash with Olympiakos.
But if reports of a £13 million asking price were not enough to dissuade Celtic, the AEK chief is now insisting that – even if such a sum was offered – Garcia would be going nowhere.
“Garcia is not for sale,” Melissanidis tells Newsit. “We’ll be happy with him.
“Now that I’m happy with him, will I sell him? He not for sale. We’ll play Europe, and then we’ll see.”
Garcia’s 18 goals and seven assists helped AEK Athens secure the Super League title ahead of Olympiakos and previous pacesetters Panathinaikos; only their second domestic triumph since the turn of the Century.
AEK could also be competing in the Champions League next term, provided they can navigate the qualifying rounds.
Celtic, then, will have to focus their attention elsewhere with Garcia seemingly off the table. American-born Ikoba, however, appears to be open to the idea of continuing his career in Scotland.
Vipotnik’s agent, meanwhile, admits that there is indeed ‘interest’ from Parkhead in his client.
“Yes, there is interest from Celtic for a summer transfer,” Sasa Zupan explains. “But there a lot of clubs who want to sign Zan when the window opens.”
Vipotkin, a Slovakia international, has 23 goals in 38 games this term for NK Maribor.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
