Mak interested in return to PAOK
Savvides’ return to Thessaloniki is expected to put things in motion regarding PAOK’s summer signings.
Savvides will return to Thessaloniki within the week and meet with technical director Lubos Michel and coach Aleksandar Stanojevic. The three men will discuss PAOK’s summer signing targets and the future of those that are not included in Stanojevic’s plans for the upcoming season.
Two former PAOK players, Mak and Vieirinha, will surely be the center of talks as both have been rumored to a move back to PAOK. The Dikefalos tou Vorra will attempt to bring at least one of the players back to Toumba as both had great spells at the club in the past. Ideally, PAOK would like to sign both players however, that could cost as much as €18 million an amount out of PAOK’s reach.
Mak was sold to Zenit last summer, but has not been satisfied with his playing time in Russia despite a good start early in the season. Sources mention that the player himself has expressed his wish to return to the Thessalonikis, either on a loan or permanent deal.
Vieirinha, another fan favorite, is expected to be on his way out of Wolfsburg during this offseason and PAOK’s technical director openly stated that the club is interested in signing the player. According to sources, Mak’s return to PAOK seems more likely as it is a cheaper option in contrast to Vieirinha, who would cost more than €3.5 million to the Thessalonikis.
Following Glykos’ serious injury which will keep him out for the next six months, PAOK have been in search of a goalkeeper that will be the No. 1 to start the season. Reports connected PAOK to Mexican international Ochoa, who has also drawn interest from teams in Turkey and the middle east, however more recent reports from Argentina are sending 26-year old goalkeeper Rodrigo Rey to the Dikefalos tou Vorra. The same report insists that the player has reached a deal with PAOK and the transfer deal is to be completed in the following days.
Stelios Kitsiou and Charis Charisis will leave PAOK for one season and will play on loan in Belgium. The Thessalonikis have already reached a deal with St. Truiden for Stelios Kitsiou while Charisis will also likely join the Belgium side. PAOK want the young players to gain much needed experience during their loan stay in Belgium with hopes of coming back stronger to the club next season.
Sabo will continue his career with Beitar Jerusalem, as the Israeli club is willing to activate the buy-out clause in the player’s loan contract. Labrou is to remain with Panionios for at least one more year, and Antonis will stay in Australia. Finally, Giannoulis will likely enjoy another loan spell spell and Atromitos looks to be the next stop in his career.
