If a report from Voetbal Primeur reports is believed to be true, Werder Bremen have joined Celtic in the hunt for Georgios Giakoumakis over a potential summer move. The German side have lodged a bid of around £1.7m for VVV-Venlo star which, however, has been rejected by the Dutch outfit.
According to Sky Sports, the Hoops made initial contact with the Eerste Divisie outfit, who are expected to listen to offers for their prized asset. The 26-year-old Greece international became the top scorer of the 2020-21 Eredivisie season, but his prolific poaching trait was not enough to escape relegation. They lost 14 of their last 15 league games and the dreadful run made the demotion inevitable.
Giakoumakis kept on doing his job though as he fired in 26 of VVV-Venlo 43 league goals all alone. A valuation of around £4.2m has been set by the Venlose Trots which is contradicting the Daily Record’s ‘£2.5m’ claim.
Having said that, the Bhoys are in a better position to lure in the former AEK Athens centre-forward. Bremen endured relegation last season and are currently struggling in 2. Bundesliga with only one win in 3 outings. Although it would be familiar surroundings at Weserstadion with Venlo being a town on the border of Germany, the project in Glasgow is more enticing with European football knocking on the door.
Why Celtic Are In A Better Position To Strike A Deal
Celtic have generated enough funds already through player sales and are likely to grab more amid rumours of Ryan Christie and Odsonne Edouard’s potential exit. They have invested a certain chunk to rope in new names and the squad rebuild must continue under Ange Postecoglou, who has been spot on so far in terms of summer business.
The Hoops, therefore, are in a better position to meet the desired sum and secure the services of Giakoumakis to succeed Odsonne Edouard. They are no more relying on the Frenchman to find the net as he has lost his starting status following the arrival of Kyogo Furuhashi from Vissel Kobe. The Japanese sensation has been exquisite across the frontline and is expected to play a massive role in Celtic’s transition.
Yet the Scottish supergiants must bring in someone to replace a seasoned performer of Edouard’s calibre. The Greek ‘number 9’ is not only smart with his positioning and movements inside the box but also with his finishing, layoffs, holding attribute and the indirect set-piece threat. It is to be seen now whether he plies his trade at Parkhead and replicates his excellence from the previous campaign.
