Berg close to Olympiacos transfer, Fortounis drawing in high bids

Former Panathinaikos star Marcus Berg is involved in negotiations with Olympiacos concerning a move to Piraeus, while attacking midfielder Kostas Fortounis is wanted by West Ham United.

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It’s looking increasingly likely that Swedish striker Marcus Berg will move to Olympiacos. After leaving Panathinaikos in 2017, the prolific forward has spent the past two years with Al-Ain, and he has now taken the decision to leave the Far East and return to Europe. Initially, IFK Goteborg were heavily linked with Berg, but Olympiacos are now close to securing his services.

According to various media sources, Olympiacos and Berg have agreed to sign a 2+1 contract, with the Swede receiving around two million euros per-year (with bonuses). However, Fenerbahce, who have expressed interest in the past, are offering the Swede over two million euros per year.

Berg, 32, starred for Panathinaikos when representing the Athenians between 2013 and 2017. In the 2018/2019 season, Berg made 19 appearances for Al-Ain in the domestic championship, scoring 10 goals. He played for Sweden at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

On Tuesday, Sport FM reported that Berg has asked Olympiacos for more time to make a final decision, but the Erythrolefki are fully expecting the experienced forward to give a positive response. The fact that Berg’s family want to move back to Greece increases the chances of the transfer happening. Berg’s final decision is expected after the international break.

SIAMPANIS JOINING FROM PAOK

Young goalkeeper Marios Siampanis, who is out of contract at PAOK, is on the verge of penning a four-year deal with Olympiacos.

The 19-year-old goalkeeper hasn’t been able to break into the PAOK first team, and with his contract expiring, he has decided to leave Thessaloniki and join Olympiacos. Reports stated that Siampanis is involved in advanced negotiations with the Piraeus giants concerning a four-year contract.

Siampanis didn’t play in a single competitive match for PAOK’s senior side in the 2018/2019 season. Transfermarkt rates his value at 250 thousand.

SKRTEL DEAL POSSIBLE

Last week, Olympiacos signed Mathieu Valbuena on a free transfer, and it’s possible fellow Fenerbahce representative Martin Skrtel will join the Erythrolefki.

Recently, it was reported that Skrtel decided to remain at Fenerbahce, but the latest reports have revealed that the 34-year-old Slovakian defender has changed his mind. Skrtel is now in favour of moving to Olympiacos as a free agent with Fenerbahce unable to offer him the kind of money he desires.

Olympiacos manager Pedro Martins is eager to conclude a deal with Skrtel as soon as possible with the UEFA Champions League qualifiers looming in the summer. Skrtel, a centre-back, made his name with Zenit Saint Petersburg and Liverpool before signing for Fenerbahce in 2016.

Fellow central defender Ruben Semedo is still being linked with an Olympiacos transfer from Villarreal.

DEPARTURE RUMOURS

Leading lights Kostas Fortounis, Leonardo Koutris and Pape Abou Cisse are all attracting interest from abroad after a brilliant 2018/2019 in Piraeus.

As previously reported on AGONAsport, Olympiacos are close to officially extending Fortounis’ contract through to 2023. Fortounis is also happy to stay in Piraeus, but in recent days, reports have appeared stating that West Ham United are prepared to offer 17 million for the talented attacking midfielder. Olympiacos would consider selling Fortounis for that amount of money.

AS Roma, Torino, Marseille, and Benfica are considering submitting bids exceeding eight million to sign Greek international left-back Koutris, while Senegalese centre-back Cisse is also wanted by Benfica, Werder Bremen, and Schalke 04. Cisse will participate at the 2019 African Cup of Nations with Senegal.

NIKOLAOU SIGNS WITH EMPOLI

It has been confirmed that centre-back Dimitris Nikolaou has signed a four-year deal with Empoli. Nikolaou, 20, played on loan at Empoli in the second half of the 2018/2019 season.

Rumors in the media state that his buyout clause was between three and four million euros.

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