Benzia in Greece to join Olympiacos, Lovera on his way
Algerian attacking midfielder Yassine Benzia is in Greece as he prepares to join Olympiacos, while Maxi Lovera will arrive on Friday.
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On Thursday afternoon, 24-year-old Benzia was picturing arriving at Athens International Airport:
Benzia, currently on the books of Lille, joins Olympiacos on a loan deal.
The Algerian international shared his feelings from joining Olympiacos when speaking to journalists: “I am very happy to be here. I want to do great things with Olympiacos, the biggest Greek club. The club really wanted to sign me. This is a new challenge for me, and they have lots of good players with Mathieu Valbuena being one of them. Yes, it’s important that we’re playing in the UEFA Champions League, but I had already made my decision to join the club. We’ve been talking since July.”
Benzia was teammates with Valbuena at Fenerbahce last season. In the 2018/2019 campaign, Benzia 13 appearances in the Turkish Super Lig as a loanee with Fenerbahce, gaining one assist. Benzia is at his best when playing as an attacking midfielder, but he can also play as a striker or a winger if needed.
He progressed through the ranks at Olympique Lyonnais before transferring to Lille in August 2015. Born in France, Benzia has subsequently played in four matches for the Algerian national team after initially representing the country of his birth at youth level.
LOVERA SET TO ARRIVE ON MONDAY MORNING
Maxi Lovera is expected to arrive at Athens International Airport at 11:00 on Friday morning as he moves to Olympiacos from CA Rosario.
Reports have stated that Olympiacos will pay Rosario 3.3 million euros in order to sign Lovera on a permanent basis. The highly-rated winger will pen a five-year deal with the Erythrolefki.
Rosario will maintain 20% of the player’s rights.
In the current campaign, Lovera has competed in four Superliga matches for Rosario in Argentina, scoring one goal and dishing out one assist. The right winger is valued at four million by Transfermarkt.
SEMEDO OUT FOR A MONTH
Ruben Semedo, who has been in fantastic form for Olympiacos in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers, will spend a month sitting on the sidelines after receiving a knee injury in the 2-1 triumph at FC Krasnodar.
The strong Portuguese centre-back scored twice in matches against Viktoria Plzen and Basaksehir this summer. Semedo joined Olympiacos after a troubled spell in Spain with Villarreal.
DURMISHAJ TO LEAVE ON LOAN
In other news, it seems newly-signed striker Fjorin Durmishaj will be sent on loan to Waasland-Beveren of the Jupiler League.
Earlier this summer, Olympiacos signed Durmishaj from Panionios, but the 22-year-old Greek international hasn’t been able to force his way into the plans of Pedro Martins. It must be noted that Waasland-Beveren will not have a purchase option for Durmishaj.
The Belgian club are expected to confirm Durmishaj’s loan shortly.
