AEK closing in on Serbian midfielder Krsticic
According to various reports in the media, reigning Greek champions AEK are about to seal their first deal of the winter transfer window, with Serbian midfielder Nenad Krsticic on his way to Athens.
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This season, AEK have struggled on all fronts, finishing bottom of their UEFA Champions League group and trailing Super League leaders PAOK by a large 14 points. A big reason behind the difficulties has been the lack of squad depth, but in a boost to the Kitrinomavri, they are on the verge of securing the services of 28-year old Red Star Belgrade midfielder Nenad Krsticic. Reports in the media revealed that AEK will pay Red Star 500,000 euros for Krsticic, with the Serbian international set to pen a three-year deal with the Greeks. His initial annual salary of 600,000 will rise with each passing season.
Interestingly, Krsticic’s Red Star contract expires after the completion of the 2018/2019 season, so AEK could wait until the summer to sign the player on a free. However, AEK seem keen to add him to their roster in January, even if it means coughing up 500,000 to pinch him from Red Star. Further negotiations between the two clubs in the coming days will decide whether Krsticic joins AEK this winter.
In the autumn, Krsticic played a key role in Red Star’s impressive Champions League campaign, playing in five group stage matches against Paris Saint Germain, Liverpool and Napoli. In the qualifiers, he scored one goal and notched one assist in eight games. Previously in his career, Krsticic has played for Beograd, Sampdoria, Bologna and Alaves, also making four appearances for the senior Serbian national team. He’s a versatile figure in the midfield, capable of playing either a more defensive or attacking role. Krsticic overcame a rare form of cancer when on the books of Sampdoria.
Asides from Krsticic, AEK are aiming to bag another midfielder and a new winger in the January transfer window, as the management attempt to salvage what has been a dreadfully poor campaign to date. In early December, the Enosis had supposedly been eyeing up the Swedish market, and now the Athenians are close to agreeing a deal for 19-year old midfielder Anel Sabanadzovic. At the moment, the promising Bosnian youth international represents Zeljeznicar, however AEK have supposedly agreed a fee of 450,000 with the Sarajevo club. Sabanadzovic will sign for AEK now, however he will remain at Zeljeznicar for the remainder of the 2018/2019 season before joining AEK in the summer. Refik Sabanadzobic, Anel’s father and a famous ex-AEK player himself, commented on the rumours: “I know that AEK and Zeljeznicar have agreed on a price. Now, all that is left is to travel to Athens in January to agree on the contract terms. So far, we’ve only talked to AEK on the phone, but a final decision will be made after meeting in person in January.”
Former AEK representative Panagiotis Kone and Malian midfielder Aliou Dieng have been linked with the Enosis too.
