Olympiacos closing in on Semedo signing

Olympiacos and Ruben Semedo have agreed to terms and await the green light from Villarreal to confirm the Portuguese’s move to Piraeus.

Watch LIVE GREEK TV including full GREEK SPORTS coverage from AGONASport.com! 

Olympiacos are close to completing yet another summer signing with Ruben Semedo expected to make a move to Piraeus in the coming days. The Erythrolefki and the Poruguese defender have agreed to teams and all that remains is the green light from Villarreal for the deal to become official.

Olympiacos and Villarreal are in advanced talks for Semedo’s move and only a few details remain to be resolved (if it will a loan deal or a permanent transfer) before Semedo travels to Greece to sign with the Reds. He is expected to arrive in Greece on Monday or Tuesday.

Villarreal snapped up Semedo from Sporting Lisbon for 14 million in July 2017, but the transfer didn’t go to plan. Last January, Semedo was charged with attempted murder in Spain, subsequently spending time in preventive detention before paying bail and transferring to SD Huesca on loan. However, he left Huesca in the winter transfer window, moving to Rio Ave as a loanee for the remainder of the 2018/2019 season. Semedo played in 14 Liga NOS matches, contributing with two goals.

Semedo, a personal choice of coach Pedro Martins, is capable of playing either as a central defender or a defensive midfielder.

Striker and defensive midfield signings

Once Olympiacos complete the signing of Semedo, the club will look to sign a striker and a defensive midfielder - to replace Bibras Natcho - in the upcoming week. Many names have been discussed for the striker’s position, including Marcus Berg, Steve Mounie, Facundo Ferreyra, and Guido Carrillo.

As for the defensive midfielder, reports state that Olympiacos are looking at options from central Europe with no specific names mentioned.

Bouchalakis to sign new contract

Andreas Bouchalakis will be offered a new contract by Olympiacos after a successful season in Piraeus. Pedro Martins sees Bouchalakis as an integral part of the team and as a result, the Cretan midfielder will be offered a new contract.

Bouchalakis’ current contract with Olympaicos is set to expire next summer. Last season, he made 30 appearances across all competitions with two goals scored and one assist.

Andreas Gianniotis sign with Maccabi Tel Aviv

Andreas Gianniotis has signed with Maccabi Tel Aviv on a free transfer after an unsuccessful stint with the Reds. Gianniotis agreed to 3+1-year deal with annual earnings of 550,000 euros plus bonuses.

Gianniotis began the 2018/19 season as Olympiacos’ number one goalkeeper but lost his position to Jose Sa in October. Gianniotis made 13 appearance for Olympiacos last season, seven in the league, one in the cup, and five in Europe. His last appearance came against Panachaiki on November 1st in the cup.

He has previously played for Ethnikos Gazorou, Fostiras, PAS Giannina, Panionios, and Atromtios. He has also made two appearances for the Greek national team.

Olympiacos announce friendly schedule

Poland will be the site of Olympiacos’ first stage of preseason training. The club will play four friendlies in Poland before travelling to Austria for their second stage of preseason training. Two friendlies will be played in Austria before the team travels back to Greece to play Nottingham Forest in their final test ahead of the UEFA Champions League qualifiers against Viktoria Plzen.

Olympiacos released their summer friendly schedule via their social media platforms.

Thank you for visiting AGONAsport.com, the only English based website for Greek sports fans across the world! Like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, and Twitter for all the latest news in Greek Sports!