Vasilis Barkas Celtic transfer exit still on the cards as IFK Gothenburg 'close' to ending goalkeeper hunt

IFK Gothenburg could yet revive their interest in unwanted Celtic keeper Vasilis Barkas after they revealed they are on the brink of signing a new No.1.

The Greek shotstopper is now third choice at Celtic behind Joe Hart and Scott Bain after falling well out of the picture following a £5 million move from AEK Athens last summer.

IFK are searching for a new keeper after selling Barkas' countryman Giannis Anestis to homeland club Panetolikos before they saw a move to land FC Copenhagen's Sten Grytebust collapse.

They were linked with Barkas last week and the Swedish transfer window doesn't close until the end of next month.

And IFK sports director Pontus Farnerud has revealed a new keeper could be with them for their pre-season training camp in Marbella.

He said: "We want to bring in a goalkeeper, and we will do that. We are close. But I do not want to say who it is.

"We want a more experienced goalkeeper. We have looked at many and have been careful in the process and have high ambitions to find the right keeper with as much quality as possible.”

Barkas was also linked with a move to Sheffield United last week, but it came to nothing. The Greek international could either leave Parkhead on a loan move or a permanent deal.