Manolas tops the list of the most expensive Greek transfers

In connection with Kostas Manolas joining Napoli from AS Roma in Serie A, AGONAsport takes a look at the most expensive transfers involving Greek players.

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This year, Manolas had constantly been rumoured with an AS Roma departure, and the Italian giants confirmed his departure to Napoli last week. Incidentally, even though a lot of time having passed since Roma’s statement, Napoli are yet to officially state that the gifted Greek defender has joined their club. Napoli spent 34 million euros to sign him.

Let’s take a look at the top five highest Greek signings:

Kostas Manolas: AS Roma to Napoli, 34 million, July 2019

Kostas Manolas, the 26-year old Naxos native famed for scoring the winning goal against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, was snapped up by Italian rivals Napoli at the start of this month. Over the course of the year, Manolas had been linked with moves to the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal, but Napoli eventually decided to activate his release clause and sign one of the world’s highest rated centre-backs for 34 million. Boasting excellent pace, Manolas is a nightmare for opposing forwards, and he will be hoping he can help Napoli challenge Juventus for the Serie A title.

Kostas Mitroglou: Benfica to Marseille, 15 million + 12.5 million, September 2017

Occupying second place in the list is Marseille hitman Kostas Mitroglou, who transferred to the French club from Benfica on a four-year deal in summer 2017. However, while he only cost Marseille an initial 15 million, an extra 12.5 million will be added on if they do not sell him within two years. During his debut campaign in Ligue 1, Mitroglou was restricted to only 19 appearances due to injury problems, and he was later sent out on an 18-month loan Galatasaray in January 2019. Mitroglou subsequently won the Turkish double with Galatasaray.

Sokratis Papastathopoulos: Borussia Dortmund to Arsenal, 16 million + 3 million, July 2018

In the summer of 2018, Papastathopoulos was picked up by Arsenal for 19 million, meaning he sits in third spot. Highly experienced, the defender has competed at the top level for a number of years, representing the likes of Genoa, AC Milan, Werder Bremen and Borussia Dortmund. Papastathopoulos emerged from the AEK system, but in an interview with the Greek media earlier this year, he stated that he doesn’t want to return to the Kitrinomavri in the future. The 30-year-old was one of Arsenal’s best defenders in what was another underwhelming campaign for the Gunners.

Panagiotis Retsos: Olympiacos to Bayer Leverkusen, 17.5 million, August 2017

Next up, it’s 19-year old Panagiotis Retsos, the budding Bayer Leverkusen star. After impressing with Olympiacos in the Super League, Leverkusen decided to splash the cash on Retsos, dishing out 17.5 million for his services in August 2017. Retsos didn’t let Leverkusen down either in his maiden season with the club, competing in 24 Bundesliga fixtures and even scoring the maiden goal of his professional career. Sadly, Retsos missed the entire 2018/2019 campaign through injury, and he has been linked with a move away from Leverkusen.

Kostas Mitroglou: Olympiacos to Fulham, 15.2 million, January 2014

In January 2014, Olympiacos sold Mitroglou to Fulham for 15.2 million, but it turned out to be a huge mistake for the forward. Despite having the tag of Fulham’s most expensive transfer in history, Mitroglou endured a torrid time in England, playing in a mere three Premier League matches and failing to score as Fulham suffered relegation. Mitroglou made a quick escape, returning to Olympiacos on loan in August of the same year.

Kostas Manolas: Olympiacos to AS Roma, 13 million, August 2014

Kyriakos Papadopoulos: Bayer Leverkusen to Hamburg, 10 million, June 2017

Andreas Samaris: Olympiacos to Benfica, 10 million, August 2014

Giourkas Seitaridis: Porto to Dynamo Moscow, 10 million, July 2005

Sokratis Papastathopoulos: Werder Bremen to Borussia Dortmund, 9.9 million, July 2013

Nikos Machlas: Vitesse to Ajax, 8.5 million, July 1999

Giorgos Samaras: Heerenveen to Manchester City, 8.5 million, January 2006

Grigoris Georgatos: Olympiacos to Inter Milan, 7 million, July 1999

Kostas Mitroglou: Fulham to Benfica, 7 million, July 2016

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