The story which broke yesterday about Giakoumakis having an option in Saudi Arabia is interesting, and it’s interesting because if it’s true he’s being offered a chance to make more money than he ever thought he’d make in his life. That’s got to get him thinking.
But it’s interesting in another way too, and it’s this one which ought to weigh most heavily on his mind if he’s even considering this. (Provided that the transfer fee is up to snuff and Celtic wants to accept it, which is the other part of this which the media would seem to prefer ignoring than facing up to in a realistic way; we have this guy on a long term deal.)
He can go and get the megabucks, this much is true. But if he moves to Saudi Arabia that’s the end of his career. At 28 he’d be lucky ever to play for Greece again, or get a move back to Europe. That’s the kind of place where players go to retire, not where they head for what should be best years of their career. That sort of move appeals only to a small number of players; those who don’t have ambitions in the sport but only want the money.
Is that Giakoumakis? I don’t think it is, which is why I reckon he’d turn down even the idea of this. The big man is a winner. He’s got titles in different countries and he can win more. He should be targeting more honours instead of something like this.
It’s one of those stories you don’t know whether to believe it or not, but I genuinely don’t think it’s an option even if they were serious and they could bring Celtic to the negotiating table with the right bid. Which I very much doubt if I’m being honest.
He will have better offers – footballing offers – than that. To be perfectly blunt, he’s got a better footballing offer, a vastly better one, right now. This guy has got too much about him to be considering the graveyard of a career … this is where you go if you’re over 35 and can’t get an easy gig at Ibrox. There’s virtually no chance of it.
I suppose it depends on the scale of the honours he thinks he can win…the Scottish title and cups aren’t exactly the pinnacle, are they or something like the Eredivise his highest level? Much as we all like the big guy he’s 28, not a pensioner but not a spring chicken either – does anyone really think he’s going to pick up a La Liga or Serie A winners medal before he retires? Maybe his lack of success in the CL has made him think “It’s not going to get higher than this, this opportunity may not come again, might as well take all the money I can get for the future.”?
I don’t like the thought but I really can’t blame him if that’s the case…
P.S. before anyone says “Juranovic is the same age and look at the interest in him!” GG is not as good a striker as Juranovic is a RB, sorry.
Why pay 8-10million to buy a player then give him roughly 2millon per year wages, Why not wait till a player is out of contract then offer him what he I valued at in wages to play for a few years. It is just smsm trying to cause unrest and to get clicks, why have no club 12 players been offered those deals when 7 of them will be unemployed soon, go figure ?
At 28 he’s already in the back half of his career. In 3 years, at 31 years old, not even the Saudi’s will be interested in him. There are very few players who play at that level past the age of 30. Messi & Ronaldo are the rare exceptions to this. More often than not, guys face a steep decline in their pace and endurance in their late 20’s into their 30’s and aren’t as effective anymore. GK & CB can usually play longer as they don’t run nearly as much, but strikers and wingers… they usually end up like Leigh Griffiths or Wayne Rooney – barely hanging on for any contract they can get past 30. If he wants a big money move to fund his retirement account, he’s running out of time. Doesn’t mean that he has to go to Saudi Arabia, but he’s probably only got 1 more meaningful transfer left in his career. If there’s ever a time to chase the money, this is it.
Why pay 8-10million to buy a player then give him roughly 2millon per year wages, Why not wait till a player is out of contract then offer him what he I valued at in wages to play for a few years. It is just smsm trying to cause unrest and to get clicks, why have no club 12 players been offered those deals when 7 of them will be unemployed soon, go figure ?
In his place, if it’s true, I would take the money to safeguard my family’s future.
Agent making up stories to drum up interest in his client?
Surely not.
You are a big fan of his but he flatters to deceive.
Take the money GG you will be very easily replaced.