Reports linking Celtic with a £2.5 million move for VVV-Venlo talisman Giorgos Giakoumakis are true, the striker’s agent Giannis Emmanouilidis has told Voetbal Primeur.
During the first two months of the Ange Postecoglou era, what was billed as a generation-defining rebuild has focused more on quality than quantity.
Five first-team players have arrived so far – a not inconsequential amount but far less than many expected.
The impact made by Liel Abada and particularly Kyogo Furuhashi has eased some of the hand-wringing, however, while Joe Hart, James McCarthy and £4 million centre-back Carl Starfelt look like substantial upgrades on what came before.
Giakoumakis, however, could be the best deal yet, the free-scoring jewel in Postecoglou’s crown.
Giorgos Giakoumakis could be a £2.5m bargain for Celtic
According to the Daily Record, Celtic have entered talks with the Greece international, who scored a remarkable 29 goals in 33 games for VVV last season.
“That’s right,” his agent said, confirming Celtic’s interest in a man who has also been linked with Premier League trio Norwich City, Southampton and Brighton.
“But I can’t say more about it. We’re looking at all the options.”
Giakoumakis comfortably finished last season as the Eredivisie’s Golden Boot winner – a remarkable feat when you consider VVV won just six of their 34 matches en route to relegation.
And, with just one year left on his contract, it’s understood VVV will now accept just £2.5 million for their want-away target man.
£2.5 million for a 29-goal striker whose best years are yet to come? That sounds too good to be true, right?
Well, if there’s one nagging concern about Giakoumakis, it’s that a stunning 2020/21 campaign was the exception rather than the rule.
In 148 games before moving to the Netherlands last summer, the journeyman scored just 25 times for a variety of clubs. Was last season a fluke or the start of something special?
Celtic are also looking to reinforce at the other end of the pitch, with deals for Josip Juranovic and Liam Scales heading in the right direction.
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