Giakoumakis deal takes unexpected twist

Atalanta United’s interest in Giorgos Giakoumakis is initially to take the striker on loan.

With less than a week to go in the transfer window time is starting to slip away with the striker linked with a move since the end of November.

A loan deal that becomes permanent when certain conditions are met, likely to be in terms of appearances and goals, is fraught with risk and could be ended at any stage by injury.

On the official MLS website, covering transfer talk at all clubs, they report:

Atlanta United are in talks with Celtic over Greek international striker Giorgos Giakoumakis, a source confirms to MLSsoccer.com, but no deal has been reached. Fabrizio Romano first reported the talks and added Japanese club Urawa Reds are also leading contenders to sign the prolific goal scorer.

Giakoumakis, 28, has eight goals and one assist in 802 minutes for Celtic this year, though has been allowed to leave for better playing time elsewhere. He had 26 goals and one assist in 30 Dutch Eredivisie league appearances in the 2021-21 season for VVV-Venlo.

A deal is likely to be a loan with a purchase option that would automatically trigger if certain performance-based incentives hit. Such a structure without an upfront transfer fee aids Atlanta’s pursuit as the club revamp the squad this winter.

With a contract that runs until May 2026 Giakoumakis has the option to remain at Celtic but the signing of Oh Hyeon-gyu pushes him further down the pecking order in Ange Postecoglou’s plans.

There has been suggestions of interest from Spain and Italy but nothing from England where the physical style of play would seem ideally suited to the Greek striker.