Last-minute Panathinaikos moves
Panathinaikos remain busy after the conclusion of the transfer window, following the departures of several players.
Watch LIVE GREEK TV including full GREEK SPORTS coverage with Go Greek TV!
Free Agents Targeted to Fill Gaps
While the transfer window slammed shut on Monday, the window for free agents is open until the 15th of September. It has been known for some time that Nikos Dabizas has been targeting a free agent to fill the void should Federico Macheda be unavailable. Depth up front is very low but the club knew it was always going to be difficult to lure a player on loan to play as a “back-up” option. As a result, the Greens are in the market for a centre forward. Juan Jose Perea was signed from Porto, but it would be unfair to place these demands on a rookie.
Until recently, this would have been the only expected business for the Trifylli, however, following Saturday’s horror performance against OFI, the club is now also in the market for a central defensive midfielder to partner Dimitris Kourbelis - there is a perception that the team is too weak and lightweight down the middle. Consequently, Dabizas is hoping to have two extra players in the squad by the time the team faces Aris and Olympiacos after the international break.
Reports also emerged that the Greens signed young Levadiakos forward Fotis Ioannidis from next summer onwards, although they are unconfirmed at this stage. Panathinaikos had been linked with the striker for some time, but it is certain that he will continue his development in the second tier for this season.
Late Departures
Panathinaikos also saw numerous players depart the club at the end of the transfer window, either on loan deals or on a permanent basis.
Nondas Pantelakis, who has not been in Giorgos Donis’ plans for some time, completed a permanent move to PAS Giannina in the second tier. The centre-back would have been sixth choice should he have stayed, and there was interest from a Belgian club, as well as Volos.
Academy graduate, Paschalis Staikos, has departed the Greens after a decade-long stay to join OFI on a permanent basis. The young midfielder was part of the leadership group last season, but struggled for regular minutes as he was not in Donis’ plans moving forward.
Cristian Konan has moved to Levadiakos on a season-long loan. Panathinaikos have high hopes for the teenage forward after a strong preseason, but he was deemed not to be ready to play in the first team. The Italian-born Ivorian forward is a favourite of Dabizas after impressing in a tournament in Sweden and joined the Greens for Bordeaux. The move enables him to play at senior level for the first time.
The final hurdle for Dabizas is shifting on unwanted players who are relatively high wage earners. These departures will free up funds to allow him to sign a new back-up striker and defensive midfielder. The club has been in negotiations all summer with Anthony Mounier in relation to breaking his contract and leaving as a free agent, however, this is not straightforward and may not happen. On the other hand, there is optimism surrounding the departures of Fanis Tzandaris and Vangelis Oikonomou, both of whom are unwanted by Donis.
Sotiris Alexandropoulos Renews Contract
Meanwhile in other news, the Greens have locked down 17-year-old midfielder Sotiris Alexandropoulos with a new contract running until 2022. This is in line with the club’s policy of focusing on the youth in the Academy.
