Bouzoukis agrees to new Panathinaikos deal

Panathinaikos and Giannis Bouzoukis agreed to a new contract which sees the young midfielder remain in Green until 2022.

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Bouzoukis to Sign New Deal Until 2022

The biggest news of the transfer window for Panathinaikos has been confirmed after boom rookie Giannis Bouzoukis has agreed to terms on a new and improved contract which runs until the summer of 2022. He is expected to put pen to paper on a deal on Wednesday.

Good news has been hard to come by for the Greens in this summer to date, but this trumps a new signing as Bouzoukis now has the opportunity to develop his game at his boyhood club and become a vital player the team can be built around.

It is a happy ending to a ‘saga’ which appeared destined to drag on at one stage has been resolved after Bouzoukis met with Nikos Dabizas at Koropi upon the squad’s return to Koropi for preseason training.

The club see this as a huge step in the right direction as the brightest young talent has been persuaded to stay in the Trifylli. His contract extension illustrates the club is willing to turn to its strong academy and paves the way for a stepping stone for other players hoping to follow in his path.

The issue at first appeared to be the offer that was initially made, but according to recent reports, the offer was improved with the addition of bonuses. His resale value should peak over the next few seasons as he continues to flourish and attract serious attention from abroad, which will assist the club’s finances in the long-term.

On top of this, Bouzoukis will be elevated into the team’s leadership group alongside the likes of Dimitris Kourbelis, Christos Donis, Dimitris Kolovetsios, and Emanuel Insua. Bouzoukis will be handed the number 10 shirt should Anthony Mounier depart.

Emmanouildis Deal Made Official

Panathinaikos has also confirmed young forward Dimitris Emmanouilidis has penned a new deal until 2022. The 19-year-old is seen as another key player of the future that is a vital part of the “Project” taking shape under Dabizas of fostering young talent and promoting from within the academy. Much like Bouzoukis, his resale value has the potential to soar later down the track as he improves his game.

Emmanouilidis expressed his “happiness” after signing the new deal by stating he is filled with “pride and joy that a big club like Panathinaikos supports me.” He wants to “help the team” and is keen to be apart of a club that “develops young footballers.”

Vangelis Theocharis and Fanis Mavromatis have also recently put pen to paper on new deals.

Financial Issues Still Plaguing the Club

Just as it seemed the financial outlook was improving, if not at least remaining ‘steady,’ news has emerged that a serious liquidity issue is on the verge of rearing its ugly head yet again. This stems from no new investment from Giannis Alafouzos.

As a result, the players are still awaiting their May installment of pay and the club risks facing appeals should these payments not be made by the 15th of July. In an ideal scenario, they would be paid immediately but Dabizas could not confirm this.

ERT Remains the Home of Panathinaikos

State-owned ERT will continue to broadcast all Panathinaikos home games this season after a new deal was agreed upon by both sides. A deal with privately-backed Nova appeared to be in the pipeline but negotiations failed at the final hurdle. Staying with ERT will bring the Trifylli 4.2 million euros worth of revenue which is a much-needed boost to the finances.

by Nick Tsambouniaris

Image Source: sportfm.gr

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