Misic expected to stay with deadline extended

Josip Misic is still expected to pen a permanent deal with PAOK, while Mauricio has revealed that there is a chance he will leave. 

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Misic is enjoying a wonderful second season in Thessaloniki. Controlling the play in the middle of the park, the Croatian midfielder has been a key figure for PAOK throughout the campaign, tallying six goals and 11 assists across all competitions. As it stands, Misic is still due to return to Sporting Lisbon upon the completion of his loan at the end of the 2019/2020 season, but PAOK are adamant that they will sign the 25-year-old on a permanent deal from the Portuguese club. PAOK must pay Sporting two million euros in order to sign Misic.

Initially, PAOK were supposed to pay the money by the end of May, but Sporting have subsequently prolonged the deadline until June 30. PAOK are continuing to insist that the payment will be submitted so that Misic can formally pen a three-year contract with the Dikefalos tou Vorra.

Sporting shifted Misic out on loan to PAOK in January 2019. Transfermarkt rates his value at two million.

MAURICIO CONFIRMS POSSIBILITY OF LEAVING PAOK

Mauricio, who has been on PAOK’s books since August 2017 when he arrived on a free transfer, is in line to move through the exit door in the summer.

“The possibility of leaving PAOK is real,” revealed the 31-year-old Brazilian midfielder when recently speaking to SDNA. “European teams are displaying interest in me. Having been at PAOK for three years, I have learned to love this club, the passion of the fans and their influence on the team touched me deeply. The Super League? Whatever happens, we will try to reach our goals to make the fans happy.”

During the current campaign, Mauricio hasn’t played an important  role for PAOK, racking up 959 minutes worth of action across 17 Super League appearances. Mauricio has won the Super League once and the Greek Cup twice with the Thessaloniki-based organisation.

PAOK SET TO SPEND PRE-SEASON IN GREECE

According to reports published by Live Sport, PAOK are set to spend their pre-season on Hellenic territory, with the management currently choosing between training centres in Karpenisi and Pilio. The decision to remain in Greece during preparations for the 2020/2021 campaign was taken as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic.

PAOK, trailing league leaders Olympiacos by a large 14 points, are battling to stay ahead of AEK in second and qualify for the 2020/2021 UEFA Champions League. The reigning Super League champions are also involved in the semi-finals of the Greek Cup. 

CONTINUED INTEREST SHOWN IN LEADING LIGHTS

With PAOK still battling Financial Fair Play (FFP) restrictions, the management is considering the possibility of selling leading lights Dimitris Giannoulis, Dimitris Limnios and Karol Swiderski, as foreign clubs continue to display high interest in the trio.

Giannoulis, 24, is highly likely to leave PAOK in the summer. Russian and Turkish clubs have been particularly interested in the talented left-back. 

In other news, Amr Warda has parted ways with AE Larissa, with the Egyptian attacking midfielder having spent the 2019/2020 Super League regular season on loan at the organisation. However, the 26-year-old doesn’t have a future at PAOK, and teams from Switzerland and Turkey reportedly want to sign him. 

His contract with PAOK is due to run until June 2021. 

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