Pundit Tam McManus has claimed that Celtic will be aiming to tie Giorgos Giakoumakis down to a ‘big new contract’ amid recent talk of a possible exit.
Back in late November, reports in the Scottish press suggested that the striker could be heading for a ‘shock’ departure in January after failing to agree upon terms for an updated contract with the Bhoys (via Daily Record).
The article explained that even though his current deal runs until 2026, talks have been going on regarding improved terms but an agreement hasn’t been found and so Giakoumakis could leave amid ‘strong European interest’ in a transfer for the Greek international.
While discussing the matter in a recent interview with Football Insider, McManus seemed adamant that Celtic will want to keep the striker at the club for a while longer and so will surely make the 28-year-old a decent offer to keep him happy.
He explained: “He has a while left on his current deal but there seems to be a gentleman’s agreement that if he came in and done well then Celtic would bump his money up.
“I don’t know if that is going to happen. He is obviously looking for a new contract on more money. Celtic are in a strong position though, they have him until 2026.
“You want your players to be happy. I think he has something like 25 goals in 50 games so he has a good record. I don’t know how this is going to play out but he has only been there a year.
“If they can get him tied down to a big new contract and everyone is happy, that has to be the aim for Celtic.
“They won’t want to lose him.”
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TIF thoughts on Giorgos Giakoumakis and Celtic…
Seeing as Giakoumakis has scored eight goals and delivered one assist in 21 outings so far this season, it’s easy to see why Celtic consider him a vital part of their attack. As McManus says, he has 25 goals in 50 games since arriving in Scotland and a record like that isn’t anything to be sniffed at.
That certainly seems to be the view of other clubs too. However, as of yet, it remains to be seen as to what clubs specifically are likely to make a move for the Greek forward.
Still, Giakoumakis was the joint-top scorer in the Scottish Premiership last season – netting 13 goals in 21 appearances – as Celtic went on to win the league. And so, it’s no surprise that he might feel as if he’s done enough to earn a pay rise, but if a decent offer isn’t made, it does sound as though an exit could be on the cards.