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Transfer Latest – Utrecht eye Barkas, Lennon linked with Ismaila Soro

Originally posted on The Celtic Star | By Niall J | Last updated 6/4/22

Who to believe? Well the Daily Record is apparently thinking Celtic are about to rip up Vasilis Barkas’ contract and let our Greek Tragedy leave the premises for diddly squat, meanwhile the Daily Mail via Football Scotland are advising Dutch side Utrecht are a possible destination for Celtic’s surplus to requirements ‘keeper, this time with a traditional method of a transfer fee attached.

Ange Postecoglou with Vasilis Barkas and Dane Murray of Celtic after the during the UEFA Champions League Second Qualifying Round First Leg between Celtic and FC Midtjylland at Celtic Park on July 20, 2021.(Photo by Steve Welsh/Getty Images)

‘According to the Daily Mail, Dutch club Utrecht are preparing to make an offer to bring him to the Netherlands.

Celtic paid £5million to AEK Athens to secure the goalie’s signature back in 2020. But they may consider just cutting their losses now and allow Barkas to head to Utrecht for less.

He has also been linked with a return to his homeland to sign up for AEK Athens once again. Either way, it seems all but certain that the keeper’s torrid time at Celtic is all but over as Utrecht reportedly make their move for him.’

And as Paul Gillespie has just reported on The Celtic Star, reliable Greek sports journalist Giannis Chorianopoulos has given this update on social media:

‘As it stands, Celtic have no plans to let Vasilis Barkas leave as a free agent. They will wait and see for any offers. 2021-22 season, Barkas had only 2 appearances with the Champions of Scotland.”

As it stands, Celtic have no plans to let Vasilis Barkas leave as a free agent. They will wait and see for any offers. 2021-22 season, Barkas had only 2 appearances with the Champions of Scotland@CelticFC #Celtic #CelticFC #Barkas

— Giannis Chorianopoulos (@choria80) June 4, 2022

Well from a financial perspective I’m assuming a transfer fee and a move to Holland would be more agreeable to the Celtic board, rather than paying Barkas off and letting him head to Utrecht and make his own arrangements.

Whatever happens with this one, it seems Celtic are getting busy now looking to offload players Ange Postecoglou has tried out, but have failed to pass muster.

Ismaila Soro. Photo: Jane Barlow

Ismaila Soro is also apparently interesting Neil Lennon and his Omonia Nicosia rebuild, so there now seems at least a possibility that alongside Barkas, Soro could be playing their football elsewhere next season.

And if the likes of Albian Ajeti and Boli Bolingoli can follow suit, the weight of wages that could otherwise impact Ange Postecoglou’s plans to bring in new recruits this summer could start to shift.

Celtic v Dundee United – Albian Ajeti battle for the ball. Photo Jane Barlow

After all the exit door is likely to be busier than the entrance this season as Celtic set about making space for Stage 2 of the Ange Postecoglou squad rebuild, and no-one wants to see the recruitment errors made by previous regimes impact on the Postecoglou’s own enlistment plans for the summer transfer window.