The Giorgos Giakoumakis story is one that, I think, will rumble on for the entirety of the January transfer window unless one of two things happen.
He signs a new contract at the club or he is sold.
Personally, I was always of the opinion that he will sign a contract extension and continue to bang in the goals for the club but as news broke that he turned down a new contract a couple of weeks ago, that did look ever more unlikely.
And as Anthony Joseph revealed that the big striker was happy at the club just last week:
Talks on an improved deal for Giorgos Giakoumakis also stalled in the last couple of weeks. It's believed Giakoumakis is happy at Celtic & both parties still hope to come to an agreement.
Celtic in a strong position with Juranovic & GG – both contracted until summer of 2026.
— Anthony Joseph (@AnthonyRJoseph) December 2, 2022
But the landscape has changed somewhat after this update:
— Giannis Chorianopoulos (@choria80) December 10, 2022
Confidence that a new deal could be agreed sooner rather than later grew with not only myself, but the Celtic fans on that thread.
Until now.
Greek journalist Giannis Chorianopoulos has dropped a huge claim this morning that Giakoumakis WANTS to leave the club in the near future.
In his piece in Sportime [translated by Google], Chorianopoulos claims, “Giorgos Giakoumakis, even changing agent, conveys the message to Celtic that he is looking for a transfer in the summer.”
The journalist reveals a number of reasons for Giakoumakis wanting out. He says the Greek striker needs a ‘change of championship’ and that his young family do not like the Glasgow weather.
Chorianopoulos also claims that the Greek international feels that there is not enough competition in the league outside of Glasgow and that victories are now ‘routine’.
This is news that will devastate the Celtic fans as they have taken Giorgos to their hearts after his impressive goal scoring form since joining the club last season.