Lampropoulos departure announced, AEK transfer plans being put in place

AEK announced the departure of centre-back Vasilis Lampropoulos, Michalis Bakakis has undergone surgery concerning an abdominal problem and the management is continuing to make plans for the summer transfer window.

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Lampropoulos has been on AEK’s books since the Football League days in 2014, but in November 2018, he was ostracized from the team after failing to agree terms on a new contract. It was predicted that the 29-year-old would leave AEK on a free transfer this summer, and the Kitrinomavri confirmed his departure with this following statement on their official website:

“AEK FC announces the departure of Vasilis Lampropoulos. The Greek international defender has been one of our team’s most important players over the past five years, helping the Enosis return to their rightful place and win the Greek championship.

He fought in the yellow and black jersey in 135 official matches, scoring five goals. He won the 2016 Greek Cup, the 2018 Greek championship and participated in our team’s return to the UEFA Champions League group stage after a 12-year hiatus.

Vasilis, we thank you for your efforts and everything you gave to our team! You will always have a special place in the club’s history and we wish you every success in your career!”

Lampropoulos issued this message of thanks after the news was released:

“The most important chapter of my career so far has ended. We achieved a lot together with the coaches and the players over these past five years. I will always keep these achievements in my mind and my heart. I cherish the great moments, but I also appreciate the difficult ones, because they make you stronger. I would like to say a huge thank you to the AEK fans, administration, coaches, teammates and everyone who I worked with. I wish AEK future success. I will never forget what I did in this shirt.”

Rumours have linked Lampropoulos with a move abroad. During the 2018/2019 season, the centre-back made 16 appearances across all competitions, making one assist in the UEFA Champions League qualifier against Celtic in August (2:1).

BAKAKIS UNDERGOES SURGERY

AEK also confirmed that right-back Michalis Bakakis has undergone surgery to solve an abdominal problem.

On Wednesday, Bakakis returned home from hospital, and he will now begin recovering in accordance with a rehabilitation program. It’s expected that Bakakis will be ready for the start of pre-season training in the summer with AEK set to play in the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round in August.

In the current season, the 28-year-old played in 42 games for AEK in all tournaments, dishing out three assists in the Super League.

MORE DEPARTURES

Alongside Lampropoulos, several other AEK players are due to leave in the summer, as the Athenians aim to revitalise the squad after a disappointing campaign.

Uros Cosic is practically certain to be deemed surplus to requirements. This season, the 26-year-old Serbian defender struggled for form, often giving poor performances laden by mistakes. The management has not been impressed and Cosic is unlikely to be a part of Manolo Jimenez’s plans for the 2019/2020 season.

Rodrigo Galo has already left, forgotten winger Giannis Gianniotas will take his leave and it’s 50/50 whether Viktor Klonaridis will remain an AEK player. In comparison to the 2017/2018 season, Klonaridis made a noticeable improvement this time around, but he faltered after a blistering start to the campaign. Stories have linked Klonaridis with a move back to his native Belgium.

AEK face serious problems with their attacking line. On loan from AS Roma, 22-year-old Argentinian striker Ezequiel Ponce was superb in Athens, scoring a large 21 goals across all competitions. However, in order to make the move permanent, AEK have to pay Roma six million euros - a sum which the Kitrinomavri cannot afford. Fans have long been dreaming of Sergio Araujo returning, but when asked about the possibility of moving to Greece again, the forward revealed that he is happy with Las Palmas. AEK have since said that they are not planning on making a move for Araujo.

Marko Livaja is under contract at AEK for another two years, but if the club receive offers exceeding five million, they will be willing to sell the gifted - albeit unpredictable - 25-year-old. Livaja contributed with 12 goals and eight assists in the 2018/2019 season.

The goalkeeper situation is another uncertain one. In 2018, Italian clubs were reportedly bidding over five million for Vasilis Barkas, but a rather underwhelming campaign has reduced the Greek international’s value. Barkas, 24, still managed to tally 18 clean sheets in 26 Super League matches while conceding 16 goals. In the event AEK receive bids over five or six million, they are likely to sell their star goalkeeper, but it’s not certain clubs will be willing to pay that kind of money. Transfermarkt rates Barkas’ value at 2.5 million.

AEK will be looking to strengthen in all areas in the transfer window, especially in defence with Lampropoulos, Galo and maybe Cosic all leaving. Despite receiving criticism from supporters, Petros Mantalos and Tasos Bakasetas are fully expected to stay at AEK, and it’s worth remembering that promising Bosnian midfielder Anel Sabanadzovic will join the Kitrinomavri from Zeljeznicar. On the subject of midfielders, it’s not yet known if AEK will pay Alef’s release clause from Braga.

Image Source: sport-fm.gr

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