Herculean task ahead? Georgios Samaras is the subject of interest from Spain Pic: © SNS Group
Celtic’s Greek striker Georgios Samaras is on a list of transfer targets for Hercules, according to reports from Spain. The newly-promoted team from Alicante want the forward to form part of a new strike force with Paraguayan Nelson Valdez.
Hercules have already opened negotiations with Celtic to take Samaras to Spain, according to Madrid newspaper AS. With the Glasgow side completing the transfer of forward Daryl Murphy from Sunderland on Friday, Neil Lennon could be set to allow the World Cup player to leave Parkhead.
Samaras has 12 months remaining on his contract in Glasgow and would be free to negotiate a Bosman move from January. Celtic are likely to be persuaded to part with the player if a suitable offer is made, though no transfer fee has been mentioned in the Spanish press.
Neil Lennon acknowledged that it made financial sense to sell players with only one year left on their deal when discussing the departure of Stephen McManus and Artur Boruc. Both were in the same contractual position as Samaras.
The forward has been consistently linked with a departure from Parkhead in recent months. Serie A side Palermo confirmed their interest back in May but no formal bid was forthcoming.
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Hercules may be more determined to land their man as they rebuild ahead of their return to the Spanish top flight. With star man and top scorer, ex-Real Madrid forward Javier Portillo, apparently the subject of a transfer bid from Al Jazira, their attention is focused on putting together a forward line to keep them up next season.
Alongside Samaras, the Spanish side have targeted Paraguay striker Valdez and Adrian Colunga, currently at Recreativo.
Samaras played three matches for Greece in the World Cup, impressing in the lone striker role against Argentina, but failing to find the net as his side crashed out in the group stage. After returning from international duty, he joined Celtic for pre-season training and is currently on tour with the first team squad in America. He did not feature against Philadelphia Union but came off the bench to score from the penalty spot against Manchester United on Friday.
