Utrecht have revealed resurgent Vasilis Barkas will return to Celtic in the summer - with sporting director Jordy Zuidam admitting they can't afford the "huge" transfer fee it would take to sign him permanently.
Barkas was a major flop at Celtic after his £4.5million move from AEK Athens in 2020 and replacing him with Joe Hart was one of Ange Postecoglou's early moves in rebuilding the Parkhead side. With Scott Bain also ahead of him in the pecking order, Barkas was shipped out to the Eredivisie on loan, where he has since shown all is not lost.
The 28-year-old has impressed by nailing down the No.1 spot for his new side as they chase Europe. They'd love to keep him, but goalkeeping coach Harald Wapenaar previously admitted a permanent deal was pie in the sky stuff due to the finances involved. And now the club's technical director Zuidam has explained further that it won't be possible - predicting Celtic could cash in on his form for a "huge" fee.
He said: "We have to talk about realistic purchase options. A club like FC Utrecht, which cannot afford huge transfer amounts, has to be creative. By loaning players first, we buy time. Vasilis Barkas will return to Celtic and he is too expensive for FC Utrecht."
Barkas has made 21 appearances for Utrecht since his move and kept seven clean sheets and he's been one of the most impressive keepers in the Eredivisie. He still has 18 months to run on his contract at Parkhead so this summer could be their one and only chance to recoup the fee they paid for him in 2020.
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