Panathinaikos targeting winger in January to cover for impending exits
Xavi Roca gets to work at Panathinaikos as a winger becomes the top January priority, while Mollo and Bech are destined for early exits.
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Winger the Top Priority
Panathinaikos will definitely be in the market for a winger during the January transfer window, according to recent reports. This will be a top priority and from there, it is expected maybe one more new face at most will arrive next month.
Xavi Roca has already gotten to work and already, during his first week in the role, a plan for January has been put in place. The Spaniard is known to be a clever operator in the transfer market and is aware that many clubs often ‘panic buy’ in January, meaning that players will usually be over-priced. Given the Greens’ financial situation, that would not bode well. As a result, a steady and patient approach is expected, with most of the business to be done at the conclusion of this season in the summer months.
The club will not be looking to lure a forward in January. Instead, Juan Jose Perea and Argiris Kampetsis will be given opportunities. However, they will be in for a winger. Tasos Chatzigiovanis is the only out and out winger featuring regularly at the moment, and even he was frozen out by Nikos Dabizas.
Yohan Mollo and Uffe Bech have failed miserably, as has Dimitris Kolovos. The new contract handed out will be in the region of 300,000 euros per season. No names have been mentioned in the public yet, but behind closed doors enquiries are already being made.
Additionally, should the Trifylli sign a second player, it appears it will be a central midfielder. This player will be flexible to operate as a ‘number 6’ in a deeper-lying role and as a ‘number 8’ who can play box-to-box.
Mollo and Bech Destined for Early Exits
As previously mentioned, the duo of Mollo and Bech have failed to leave any sort of positive impression so far this season on Giorgos Donis. As a result, both look destined to depart next month. The former scored the equaliser in a tense derby draw against Olympiacos from the spot, but his attitude has been questioned on several occasions and he has been inconsistent. The latter was known to have had bad luck with injuries, but the fact that he has been injured already five times since joining in the summer says it all.
Ironically, both are wingers and this is what has prompted Xavi Roca to enter the market for a replacement. Mollo is on a reported 500,000 euros per season - a lot of money for an out of favour winger. Donis questioned his poor attitude in the lead up to the match against Xanthi, and against AEK he was left out of the matchday squad altogether. Bech has only featured for 30 minutes in the entire season to date.
Fanis Tzandaris has already left the club and is a free agent. He is reportedly attracting interest from Panionios. Panos Armenakas, Vangelis Oikonomou, and Anthony Mounier all remain out of favour, and Xavi Roca will be attempting to move them on in January.
Conversely, Dimitris Emmanouilidis could return from his loan spell from Panionios early. He has been a ‘hit and miss’ so far during his time at Nea Smyrni and has failed to cement his place in the starting team, despite scoring a great equaliser against Olympiacos last weekend. Xavi Roca is thought to be keen on bringing him back early as he has not evolved as hoped.
Vagiannidis Linked with Big Move
Despite not featuring in the senior team at all this season, the name Giorgos Vagiannidis is well-known not only to Panathinaikos fans, but also Greek football fans as a whole. The fullback has not yet extended his contract at Panathinaikos (which expires in the summer) and two European clubs have already expressed an interest in signing him.
Monaco have officially made a 500,000 euro bid to lure the man dubbed as the next Giourkas Seitaridis to France. The 18-year-old right back, standing at 181cm tall, possesses huge talent and also previously attracted interest from PAOK. It is thought that a German club will also be in the running come January.
Panathinaikos previously made efforts to extend his deal under the regime of Dabizas but ultimately fell short. It is expected that fresh efforts will be made from Xavi Roca, as the Greens would not want to lose such a talent so early (to the point where it may even hinder his own development).
