Director admits he can’t compete with Celtic over signing – Despite player visiting club

Celtic and Werder Bremen have come forward to sign Giorgos Giakoumakis this summer.

Two days ago, the forward’s agent and VVV-Venlo director Marco Boogers confirmed Celtic want to acquire the player’s services.

According to DeichStube, the 26-year-old visited the German club’s training facilities with his advisor on Wednesday.

These claims were backed up a day later by Werder Bremen head of football Clemens Fritz, who added his side have a ‘very intense’ interest in the player. Fritz revealed the player “liked it very much in Bremen”.

Celtic are ready to offer the Greece international an annual salary of €700,000, while they are willing to pay €3m to the Dutch club to acquire his services.

Werder Bremen, for now, made a €2m offer, which was turned down by VVV-Venlo, and they cannot enter into a bidding war with Celtic.

“Our financial resources are limited. It is important to use them in the best possible way. We are not so naive as to deal with just one candidate. We have reached the point where we are no longer directly under pressure. We are no longer forced to sell,” Friz stressed.

For now, DeichStube explain Giakoumakis is ‘completely open’ over where he wants to move next, and his latest visit to Werder Bremen gives an ‘indication’ they still have a chance to secure his signature.

Celtic, therefore, will need to hurry.