AEK searching for new options at full-back
With the summer fast approaching, AEK are making plans for next season’s squad, in particular lining up transfer targets for both sides of the defence.
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SEARCH FOR NEW FULL-BACKS
AEK technical director, Ilija Ivic, is searching for full-backs on both flanks with the Serbian eager to strengthen the squad ahead of a 2020/2021 campaign which could include UEFA Champions League football.
Reports in both Greece and Spain have linked the Kitrinomavri with Luis Perez. Currently on the books of Tenerife in La Liga 2, the 25-year-old is a threat for opponents on the right wing with his bursts forward, contributing with three assists in the Spanish second tier this season. The fact that Perez is only valued at 650,000 euros increases the chances of AEK making a swoop for the Spaniard.
Perez would probably replace either Michalis Bakakis or Paulinho in the squad. Although he offers plenty of endeavour on the right side of defence, Bakakis has often been criticised for his lack of quality in the final third, and his contract with the Athens-based organisation is due to expire in the summer of 2021. For his part, Paulinho has endured a disappointing campaign since signing for AEK last year, but the management might be willing to give him another chance next season.
On the opposite wing, the future of Niklas Hult is still uncertain, with the Swede’s contract expiring at the end of June. If reports are to be believed, Hult does want to stay at the club, and Ivic will only part ways with the 30-year-old in the event that he can’t sign a superior alternative. Fellow left-back, Helder Lopes, remains under contract at AEK until 2022.
VRANJES STILL EXPECTED TO LEAVE ANDERLECHT
Ognjen Vranjes is still in line to cancel his contract with Anderlecht in the summer. At the moment, his deal with the Belgian side runs for another two years, but they are eager to go their separate ways once and for all. Vranjes moved to Anderlecht from AEK in 2018, but he failed to settle in Belgium and was ostracized from the first team as a consequence of poor discipline.
Vranjes has spent the 2019/2020 season on loan at AEK. A dominant figure in the centre of defence, the Bosnian has got his career back on track in Athens, even scoring two goals at the other end for AEK. The controversial 30-year-old is expected to pen a permanent deal with AEK if he leaves Anderlecht for free.
ARAUJO FUTURE UNKNOWN
In January, Sergio Araujo transferred to AEK on loan from Las Palmas for the third time, with the Athenians having secured a mandatory purchase option. However, as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, it’s now far from certain that AEK will be able to pay the 2.7 million required to sign Araujo from the Spanish team permanently.
AEK will have to pay Las Palmas a reported fee of 300,000 if they decide not to sign Araujo.
Over the course of the last few weeks, reports have suggested that AEK are going to try and loan Araujo for another season, but Las Palmas aren’t keen on that proposal and simply want their money. Araujo has scored one goal in the Super League since returning to AEK in the winter.
Araujo himself is known for wanting to remain in Athens with AEK.
In other news, AEK are hungry to keep Damian Szymanski with the Polish defensive midfielder having competed with confidence after arriving on loan from Akhmat Grozny, and Ivic is studying potential transfer targets in Poland and Sweden.
