PAISLEY, SCOTLAND – FEBRUARY 10: Vasilis Barkas of Celtic warms up prior to the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between St. Mirren and Celtic at SMISA Stadium on February 10, 2021 in Paisley, Scotland. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
The January transfer window has looked pretty strong for Celtic in terms of incomings. The focus is now on moving some of the current players out on loan or on a permanent basis. One particular attempt that has fallen through appears to be that of Vasilis Barkas, who has been linked with a move away from Parkhead for a while without it materialising till now.
The Greek international had been tipped for a January exit this time around, especially with the success of Joe Hart between the posts since arriving at Parkhead and Scott Bain signing a new contract with the club. Conor Hazard’s loan move to HJK Helsinki raised a few questions on whether Barkas might yet stay but recent activity appears to suggest that a move is still being sought.
Rumours broke out recently that he was heading to Sheffield United, but that appears to be no longer on the cards.
As reported by the Daily Mail (via the Daily Record), Sheffield United were in talks over a deal but polled out after Celtic wanted a loan fee and also for the English club to pay the bulk of his wages, which is believed to be £20,000 per week. The Hoops also appeared to want an option to buy included of a transfer fee around £2.5 million while The Blades wanted a lower figure.
Celtic have been handed a massive Barkas transfer blow
With Sheffield United signing Adam Davies earlier, it seems clear that the destination is no longer on the cards for Barkas.
While Ange Postecoglou has spoken highly of Barkas in recent times, those are hefty wages for sure, for a goalkeeper who has not even made the bench on most occasions this season.
And they could even result in narrowing the options that Celtic have, when it comes to finding Barkas a new club.
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