Araujo ready for AEK return
Sergio Araujo, who is adored by the vast majority of AEK fans, is on the brink of joining the Athens-based club for the third time.
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It’s happening. Ever since Araujo returned to Las Palmas for the second time in the summer of 2018, AEK fans have been begging for the hugely popular Argentine striker to return, and it seems that their dream is about to come true.
AEK will loan Araujo from Las Palmas for the remainder of the 2019/2020 season. However, there is a reported clause in the deal which means that if AEK don’t decide to purchase Araujo on a permanent basis for three million euros after the campaign ends, they will have to pay a hefty compensation fee to Las Palmas. Initially, AEK wanted to sign Araujo permanently in the winter, but Nelson Oliveira’s transfer to Wolverhampton Wanderers has fallen through.
Araujo is expected to arrive in Athens by Friday to complete the transfer.
In two separate stints at AEK, Araujo helped the club qualify for the UEFA Champions League preliminaries, win the Super League title and make two successive Greek Cup finals. The 28-year-old is regarded as a hero by the vast majority of the AEK fan base.
OLIVEIRA DEAL OFF
Not long ago, it seemed certain that Oliveira would transfer to Wolverhampton Wanderers from AEK, but it now appears that the deal is off. According to several reports in both England and Greece, AEK rejected a second bid of 4.5 million euros, citing that Wolves must activate the player’s release clause of 6.5 million if they want to sign him. Wolves, not prepared to pay that amount of money for the Portuguese forward, have subsequently parted with the idea of signing Oliveira.
Oliveira, 28, appeared as a substitute during the 0-0 draw between AEK and Olympiacos at the weekend. He has scored 10 goals and dished out six assists in 21 appearances for AEK since joining from Norwich City in the summer.
A Bola in Portugal have suggested that Sporting Lisbon are now interested in Oliveira.
GERALDES LEAVES
AEK confirmed the departure of Francisco Geraldes with this following statement:
“AEK FC announces the termination of its partnership with footballer Francisco Geraldes, who returns to Sporting Lisbon. Our team is grateful to the Portuguese midfielder for his presence in the club, wishing him success for the rest of his career.”
Geraldes never settled in Athens. Across all tournaments, the 24-year-old only gained one assist in six matches, quickly falling out of favour after receiving a red card in the game against Xanthi on matchday one of the Super League. Fellow Portuguese midfielder David Simao, however, has been included in the AEK squad to face Asteras Tripolis in the Greek Cup on Thursday.
