PAOK still yet to finalise permanent Misic transfer
PAOK are still yet to formally finalise the permanent transfer of Josip Misic, while the club begin to search for a new goalkeeper.
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Misic is enjoying a memorable campaign in Thessaloniki. Pulling the strings in midfield, the 25-year-old Croatian has been a vital member of this PAOK team during the current season, contributing with six goals and 11 assists across all competitions. In the summer, his loan from Sporting Lisbon is due to expire, but PAOK are fully expected to activate his release clause of two million euros. Misic has already agreed to subsequently sign a three-year contract with the Dikefalos tou Vorra.
Recently, A Bola in Portugal stated that Misic will return to Sporting with PAOK having not activated the release clause, but Greek media outlets later reinstated that the midfielder will remain in Greece. As it stands, PAOK are yet to pay two million for Misic, however this is considered a formality and the Greeks will eventually send the money over to Sporting. The payment deadline is the end of May.
Transfermarkt values Misic at 2.5 million. Misic joined PAOK on loan from Sporting in January 2019.
FINANCIAL FAIR PLAY ANALYSIS DELAY
PAOK are poised to potentially receive punishments from UEFA for breaking Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules. However, as a result of the coronavirus crisis which has indefinitely put an end to the 2019/2020 campaign, the organisation is now set to postpone the analysis of documents for clubs which will participate in European competitions next season. Naturally, this is good news for PAOK, who now have more time in which to balance the books more effectively.
Reports have revealed that PAOK will begin to rely on their own academy graduates instead of spending big money on foreign imports.
MATOS EAGER TO REMAIN IN THESSALONIKI
Since arriving from Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk in the summer of 2016, Leo Matos has been a hugely important player for the Dikefalos tou Vorra on the right side of defence, helping the team win three successive Greek Cups and the 2018/2019 Super League title. The 33-year-old Brazilian has consistently been one of the best full-backs in Greece over the past four years.
In an interview with Metrosport, Matos revealed that he wants to remain with PAOK for the remainder of his career: “I have spoken with both Ivan and Giorgos Savvidis concerning the extension of my contract, they made me feel very calm about the whole situation. They have had a great relationship with me since I arrived here. I’ve regained my passion for football since transferring to PAOK, I want to stay with this club for the rest of my career. Yes, it’s true that my contract is coming to its end, but there is an option for an automatic renewal if I play in 30 games this season.”
SEARCH FOR NEW GOALKEEPER
In the off-season, PAOK are eager to part with either Alexandros Paschalakis or Zivko Zivkovic, with Abel Ferreira setting a target of signing a new goalkeeper. Both Paschalakis and Zivkovic have been somewhat shaky between the PAOK sticks throughout the season.
Paschalakis, 30, has conceded eight Super League goals in six games without recording a single clean sheet. Zivkovic, for his part, has participated in 20 league matches, conceding 15 markers and picking up 11 shutouts. The pair are under contract at PAOK until June 2022.
