When Vasilis Barkas made his much-hyped move to Celtic almost three years ago for nearly £5 million, expectations were high.
The Greek international goalkeeper was expected to provide security between the sticks and become a fan favourite in the green and white half of Glasgow. Unfortunately, his two-year spell at Celtic Park was far from successful, and his future at the club became uncertain.
Fast forward to the present, and Barkas is experiencing a resurgence on loan with Dutch side FC Utrecht. His consistently strong performances in the Eredivisie have not only impressed the Utrecht faithful but have also attracted attention from other clubs. And amidst this interest, Utrecht’s owner, Frans van Seumeren, has expressed his desire to keep the revitalised keeper on board.
“As a club, we are doing everything we can to keep Vasilis Barkas here, but it is a difficult issue,” he told Sunsport. “Not least because there are now other clubs also interested after his successful season.”
These developments present an interesting twist for Celtic. Although Barkas’ tenure in Glasgow was disappointing, his recent form in the Netherlands could provide the Bhoys with a chance to recoup some of the hefty fee they paid for him three years ago.
While the goalkeeper returning to play for Celtic seems unlikely, his revitalised form could offer the club a financial windfall they could only have wished for 12 months ago. If Utrecht, or indeed any other interested club, is willing to make a substantial offer for the keeper, the soon to be two-in-a-row champions could well see a return on their initial investment.
Van Seumeren’s comments highlight a brewing tug-of-war for Barkas’ services. Celtic must navigate this carefully, balancing the need to recoup funds with the potential risk of missing out on a better offer later.
