MLS side Atlanta United have reportedly opened talks for Giorgos Giakoumakis in a dramatic twist over the Celtic star's future.
Giakoumakis has been heavily linked with several moves away after Record Sport broke the news that contract talks at Parkhead have broken down. He's been linked with Sampdoria in Italy among others but most recently it's been Urawa Red Diamonds in Japan who have moved to the front of the queue.
In the latest update over his future, Fabrizio Romano claims the J-League side are still leading the hunt but with a deal "not yet sealed," it seems Atlanta feel they can snatch him for themselves. It's reported they are "in talks" to scupper Urawa's hopes and take him to MLS instead. He'd join as one of their three "designated players," allowing them to break from the MLS salary restrictions to bring him in. It's unclear what they have offered to Celtic but the Hoops are believed to be looking for more than double the £2.5m they paid to sign him from VVV-Venlo 18 months ago.
Giakoumakis has an impressive 26 goals in 57 games for Ange Postecoglou's team but has recently found himself out of favour with Kyogo, the Premiership's top scorer on 17 goals, the main striker. Giakoumakis has nine himself this season but was left out of the squad altogether against St Mirren and Morton hinting a move away is imminent.
It comes as South Korean striker Oh Hyeon-gyu closes in on a move to Celtic. He admitted a "verbal agreement" has been reached with the Parkhead club and could arrive as a direct replacement for Giakoumakis.
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