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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Mark Pirie

Giorgos Giakoumakis 'advised poorly' as Celtic transfer exit nears with player's agent accused of timing fumble

Concerned Mark Wilson reckons Giorgos Giakoumakis could be heading for the Celtic exit door too soon on the advice of his agent.

The towering Greek frontman is poised to leave Parkhead this window after reaching a stalemate in contract discussions with the Scottish Premiership champions, with Serie A strugglers Sampdoria looking like the frontrunners to seal a deal this month. Urawa Red Diamonds of the J-League are also understood to have offered a massive contract in a bid to land the frontman, while Ligue 2 side Bordeaux have reportedly submitted a bid.

The 28-year-old has served as back-up to Kyogo Furuhashi so far this season and looks set to leave Ange Postecoglou's league leaders in search of a bumper payday and regular game time. Former Celtic star Wilson reckons the player and his agent should have a last-minute rethink over a move away from Glasgow's east end for a relegation scrap in Italy.

Celtic's Giorgos Giakoumakis looks set to leave the club (PA)

Earlier this season Giakoumakis ended his six-to-seven-year relationship with agency Emmanouilidis-Pathiakakis and signed with BHM Sports Agency. Wilson reckons that a January departure could be a misstep from both the player and his representatives.

Wilson told Clyde 1 Superscoreboard: "I think Giakoumakis has been a good signing for Celtic. He took up the mantle when Kyogo was injured.

"People were sceptical at the start, and wondered if he was going to be an out and out goalscorer. He went on to show that he is.

"He has four years left on his contract, and I just wish he would take some time over this. I can totally get that players want to accelerate their career and be financially rewarded as quickly as possible.

"I just wonder if he would regret leaving the club, after having that first taste of Champions League football - and it's on the horizon again next year. You are sacrificing that for more game time.

"You often see players jump ship too quickly, and i just wonder if that is the case here. Celtic have got what they signed him for, goals and a back-up to Kyogo. Sometimes he starts but it's the player who wants to jump or it's his agent who is advising him poorly. The manager has got to deal with what is in front of him and who wants to be at the club.

"The driver behind this is the player and his agent. It's not as if he is out contract and the situation is different. He is under contract and gets minutes every week.

"Ok, not as many as he wants and I can understand that and it's a frustration. It's the player that is then saying let's go, it's not Ange Postecoglou."

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