Time is running out for Ange Postecoglou to make any last minute additions to his Celtic side. But that’s even if he wants them.
Instead, outgoings seem to be the main target before deadline day is over. Yuki Kobayahsi, Alistair Johnston, Tomoki Iwata and Hyeongyu Oh have all arrived so far to boost the Hoops squad as they look to secure a domestic Treble this season, but the new additions could signal the end of the road at Celtic Park for several fringe stars. The big name outgoing looks to be Giorgos Giakoumakis as he edges closer to a move to Atlanta United, trading the Scottish Premiership title fight for the MLS Eastern Confernece despite interest from Urawa Red Diamonds.
Oliver Abildgaard, James McCarthy and Yosuke Ideguchi have barely featured in a matchday squad since the end of the World Cup break and could see their futures away from Glasgow's east end. Propsect Stephen Welsh also has options to leave the club on loan until the end of the campaign.
So what is the latest from Celtic? Record Sport takes a thorough look.
Giorgos Giakoumakis
The Greek frontman appeared destined for a January exit ever since Record Sport revealed talks over a new Celtic contract collapsed late last year and he looks set to get his wish. Atlanta United are set to take him Stateside with for a fee of £4.3million with incentive based bonuses written into the deal that will see extra cash make its way to the Scottish champions.
However, a report in the Netherlands suggests that all of the initial transfer payday will not be paid to Celtic Park, with his former side VVV Venlo holding a sell-on clause. VI report the Eerste Divisie side hold a 15 per cent sell-in clause in Giakomakis’ contract.
That would see the club take around £645k, leaving Celtic with £3.6m. That would leave them to bank around £1m profit from the £2.5m they originally paid for the Greece international.
General manager Marco Bogers was calm over the windfall, telling the Dutch outlet on deadline day: "It will take a long time before there is clarity. I've seen so many clubs pass by this month. And still nothing is known, everything I know comes from the gossip circuit."
Oliver Abildgaard
Abildgaard looks set to see his Celtic loan deal ripped up, with several clubs in Denmark keeping tabs on the the midfielder. The 26-year-old joined on a season-long loan from Rubin Kazan but has made little impact on Ange Postecoglou's first-team. He has managed just nine appearances in all competitions, and has not made an appearance for the Hoops since November.
The Dane has regularly been absent from the matchday squad, and looks set to follow Moritz Jenz and have his deal terminated early. Tipsbladet report that "several" Danish Superliga are "ready to bring him back" to his homeland. However, they note that a dream return to Aalborg could be off the cards with the club unlikely to be able to afford Abildgaard's pay demands.
Stephen Welsh
Th 23-year-old could be set for a loan exit before the transfer window closes, with Sheffield Wednesday expressing their interest in taking the centre-back to English League One. However, the prospect of a switch to Hibs appears to be off the table.
A report earlier on deadline day suggested Lee Johnson was interested in Welsh as he looks to add defensive reinforcements. However, Football Scotland report a deal for Welsh is not on the cards with the Easter Road chiefs looking for a more experienced addition to the backline before February 1.
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