CELTIC'S bid to tie up striker Georgios Samaras on a new two-year deal has stalled because the club have insisted he take a pay cut, according to reports in his Greek homeland.
The 28-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and was last week linked with both Toronto FC and Hull City.
Samaras is in talks with Celtic officials about extending his deal, but discussions have hit a snag.
He has been offered a new two-year contract, but will have to agree to a reduction in his current £18,000-a-week wages to £16,000.
The forward is in no rush to sign as he considers his options.
Samaras has been at Celtic for six years and will play a key role at the World Cup finals for his country this summer.
But his form has declined recently and he endured a particularly disappointing Champions League campaign.
Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell has previously admitted he hoped the Samaras contract situation would be resolved by the end of this month.
He said: "We are talking to Samaras's agent now. We'd like to feel we are going to get clarity before the end of December.
"Hopefully we will be able to. It is our intention to make sure that he extends his contract."
However, Samaras will take his time to explore his options before deciding his future.
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