Celtic reportedly close on £10,500-a-week wage agreement with Vasilios Barkas but two issues preventing deal

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Celtic are continuing to pursue the signature of AEK Athens goalkeeper Vasilios Barkas, with reports in Greece and Scotland both updating the system overnight. 

It seems that Celtic and the player would be able to reach an agreement. The Daily Record claims that the Greek international has been won over by the chance to play for the Bhoys and would happily make the move. 

That backs up a report from Sportime in Greece, who claim that Barkas would be signing a deal worth around £10,500-a-week at Parkhead. 

However, both reports also detail significant stumbling blocks that remain in the way of any deal being finalised. 

Firstly, from Greece, they claim the two clubs still remain far apart in their valuation of the player. Celtic have reportedly had one offer of €3.5 million (£3.2m) plus an extra €1 million (£900,000; total £4.1m) in performance-related add-ons rejected. 

However, AEK are hoping for a deal closer to €8 million (£7.3m), although €5 million (£4.5m) with a 15 percent sell-on clause could do the trick. 

The Daily Record also reports that Celtic boss Neil Lennon will not ratify any move for Barkas until it is absolutely certain that the club have no chance of luring Fraser Forster back to Glasgow from Southampton. 

Forster, who excelled on loan at Parkhead last season, wants to play for first-team football at St Mary’s but the club’s manager Ralph Hasenhuttl may not see him as part of his plans. 

So any deal to sign Barkas does still appear some way off, as Celtic iron out kinks in the transfer offer and continue to pine for their former stopper.