Giorgos Giakoumakis has agreed to join Sampdoria this January transfer window - with Celtic now left to thrash out a deal with the Serie A side according to Italian reports.
The Greek striker is poised to leave Parkhead this window after reaching an impasse in contract discussions with the Premiership champions. Urawa Red Diamonds of the J-League are believed to have offered a double-your-money contract in a bid to tempt him to Asia but it is claimed by Gianluca DiMarzio that Sampdoria 'has an agreement with Giakoumakis.'
They are using their big advantage in the pursuit of the 28-year-old in that he wants to remain in Europe rather than go further afield. It's not a done deal yet though as Celtic still have to agree to a move, with La Samp keen to have a loan with an option to buy should they beat the drop in Italy's top flight.
There is also interest in Giakoumakis from Major League Soccer, Scandinavia and Russia. He has netted eight times this season and 25 overall since moving to Glasgow in the summer of 2021.
Now it remains to be seen whether or not Celtic can come to terms with Sampdoria for their striker's departure. They are hot on the heels of Cho Gue-Sung as his replacement.
Mainz are one club rivalling them for the South Korean striker's services and Minnesota United have joined them. But a massive sell-on clause could help Ange Postecoglou land the Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors star.
