Aris embark on summer plan
Aris are set to embark on their summer signings plan with an increased budget as they aim to reach the group stages of the UEFA Europa League.
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Following a season to remember Thessaloniki outfit, Aris, are set to embark on their summer plan for strengthening the roster as they prepare for an early start to the new season. In only their first season back in the top flight, they finished in fifth spot to book a place in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League.
Signings Plan
Owner Theodoros Karipidis has been in Thessaloniki since Thursday to discuss potential new signings for the summer transfer window. He is set to meet with coach Savvas Pantelidis and technical director Dinos Diamantopoulos. It appears the priorities will be signing a centre-back, winger, centre-midfielder, and attacker. The preseason summer camp will take place in the Netherlands.
The first and perhaps most significant piece of the puzzle is a move away from the 4-2-3-1 system that worked so well last season. The move from the more defensive formation to an attacking-minded 4-3-3 with two ‘number 8’s’ instead of two defensive midfielders, will need time to be implemented.
Hamza Younes is set to receive more playing time and the club will be in the market to support him by looking for a striker to partner him. The future of left-sided winger Mateo Garcia is still up in the air, but it will not affect the club’s moves in the transfer market. He was a vital player on loan last season from Las Palmas. The Attacking midfield will provide Pantelidis with a welcomed headache selection between Bruno Gama, Daniel Larsson, Martin Tonso, and fit again Nicolas Diguiny.
The future of Giannis Fetfatzidis also remains uncertain. Keeping Nicolas Martinez will be vital as his creativity was a key part to Aris’ success last season. Moving forward, it is hoped he enjoys an even more prominent role. Manolis Siopis will be the first choice defensive midfielder and Migjen Basha will provide handy cover. The future of Lindsay Rose (on loan from Lorient) is also undecided.
Giorgos Valerianos is expected to move on in the summer and this will prompt Aris to pursue a new right back, who can also operate as a wing back just in case. They signed Daniel Sundgren late last season from AIK but it is unknown as to whether or not he will be a key player. Dimitris Konstantinidis and Manolis Tzanakakis will retain their positions as reserves but new players will be brought in should they depart. Julian Cuesta is set to remain as the first choice goalkeeper.
Aris will have 22 players to choose from in the squad for next season, but if Fetfatzidis and Garcia stay, that number will rise to 24, giving them more attacking options.
Budget
In news that will excite Aris fans, Karipidis has decided that the team’s budget is increased by a further two million euros. This will mean Diamantopoulos will have more flexibility to work with in a bid to meet the club’s objectives.
The main aim (and reason behind the increase) is to qualify for the group stages of the Europa League. This will not be an easy task as they already know they will be unseeded in the draw should they progress to the next phase of qualifying. Aris will begin in the second qualifying round and will need to eliminate three opponents to qualify for the group stages.
An increase in the budget is an attempt to lure higher quality players for these big matches that will take place over the summer, before the league starts. Solidifying their presence in the top five domestically is also a goal for the new Super League season.
The increase in the budget will take place through a share capital increase.
