Giorgos Giakoumakis has seemingly decided that Italy is his preferred destination with reports stating the Celtic striker has agreed to join struggling Sampdoria in this window.
Urawa Red Diamonds are keen to take the Greek star to Japan and are able to offer a lucrative package - and the striker also has offers from the MLS and Scandinavia. However, it now appears that Sampdoria are in pole position.
The problem could be striking a deal with Celtic as the Genoa side want it to be a loan with a view to a permanent purchase in the summer - as long as they remain in Serie A, and that is far from certain. Samp sit second bottom of the table with just nine points from their opening 17 matches.
READ MORE: We ‘signed’ Cho Gue-sung for Celtic in January transfer and he became Rangers Old Firm derby hero
They are six points behind fourth bottom Spezia who are out of the relegation zone so boss Dejan Stankovic faces a major battle to keep the club in the top flight.
He sees Giakoumakis as a means to shoot their way out of trouble and it's goals they desperately need. They have only scored a miserable eight in Serie A this season with regular strikers Sam Lammers and Manolo Gabbiadini simply not delivering the goods.
Celtic are also waiting to see if Manchester United will firm up their interest in Josip Juranovic. The Croatian international, who helped his country to finish at the World Cup finals, is on a list of United’s January targets.
United have interest in their right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka and any move for Juranovic would be subject to him moving on this month. Former club Crystal Palace and Wolves have both been linked with moves for Wan-Bissaka.
Juranovic, who was linked with Chelsea last month, is also on the radar of other English Premier League clubs. Celtic signed Juranovic from Legia Warsaw in a bargain £2.5 million move in August 2021.
The 27-year-old has been one of the top performers and the Hoops know they are in a strong position with European interest as well.
Italian side Monza and Spanish outfit Espanyol both want to sign Juranovic on-loan with a view to a permanent deal at the end of the season. Roma were again linked in the Italian press but that move there looks extremely unlikely.
Meanwhile, Celtic are also willing to listen to offers for Stephen Welsh. The young defender has come through the ranks but has fallen down the pecking order under Ange Postecoglou. The 22-year-old has interest in England and Europe.
READ NEXT:
- We ‘signed’ Cho Gue-sung for Celtic in January transfer and he became Rangers Old Firm derby hero
- Tomoki Iwata Celtic connection as Shunsuke Nakamura influence lands 'since I was little' response
- Casper Tengstedt Celtic transfer setback as Benfica 'close in' on Rosenborg star with fee revealed
