Summer sale expected as PAOK battle FFP threat
The likes of Dimitris Giannoulis and Dimitris Limnios are widely expected to leave PAOK before next season begins, with the Thessaloniki-based club facing dire Financial Fair Play (FFP) punishments.
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MASS SALES AMID FINANCIAL FAIR PLAY WORRIES
PAOK are predicted to cash in on Dimitris Giannoulis. Since returning from a loan spell at Atromitos in January 2019, the left-back has been a consistent performer for the Dikefalos tou Vorra, contributing with five assists and one goal across all tournaments this season. According to reports, PSV Eindhoven, FC Porto, and Lokomotiv Moscow are all interested in signing Giannoulis in the upcoming transfer window, with PAOK demanding at least eight million euros. There is also a release clause in Giannoulis’ contract, which stands at 10 million.
His contract with PAOK is due to run out in June 2022.
Karol Swiderski is another PAOK star attracting plenty of attention. Although his form dipped towards the end of the Super League regular season, the 23-year-old enjoyed a strong campaign in Thessaloniki, scoring 10 goals in the championship. When speaking to Polish media, Swiderski stated that he and his family are enjoying life in Greece, but PAOK could be tempted to sell the striker if a foreign club submits a bid close to 10 million. Swiderski won the domestic championship and Greek Cup with PAOK last season after moving to the club from Jagiellonia in January.
Fellow prospect, Dimitris Limnios, has rapidly developed with PAOK this season. Playing with more confidence and productivity on the right flank, the 21-year-old winger picked up an impressive tally of six goals and six assists across all competitions, earning more game time with the senior national team as a consequence. Teams from Italy, France, the Netherlands, and Russia are all expressing interest in Limnios, and the fact that his contract extends in 2021 further contributes to the belief that he will be sold. PAOK cannot afford to see Limnios go for free next year.
With Abel Ferreira eager to sign a new goalkeeper, one of Zivko Zivkovic and Alexandros Paschalakis is likely to leave PAOK after the 2019/2020 season ends, and Marko Mihojevic will probably depart the club permanently after his loan at Erzgebirge Aue finishes. The likes of Ergys Kace, Amr Warda, and Thibault Moulin, also playing elsewhere as loanees, are not expected to continue their careers with PAOK in the 2020/2021 campaign. Furthermore, Pontus Wernbloom and Miroslav Stoch are sure to leave, and the issue of Leo Matos’ expiring contract is yet to be resolved.
The future of Chuba Akpom is also unknown. The English striker, formerly of Arsenal, has mostly sat on the bench during the campaign, with Swiderski being Ferreira’s first choice.
The (FFP) issue, which could even result in PAOK being excluded from European competitions if they don’t balance the books in the coming weeks and months, means that they also might additionally be forced into selling Sverrir Ingi Ingason and Leo Jaba. Fernando Varela and Mauricio, who have performed somewhat below his level in the current season, are further candidates for moving through the exit door.
Anderson Esiti, Douglas Augusto, and Rodrigo, summer signings from 2019, are likely to receive another chance to prove their worth after initially failing to show their capabilities.
NEW RELIANCE ON YOUTH
Taking into account their FFP worries, PAOK will begin to rely on their own youth prospects a lot more, with their under 19 team having won the Super League title in the past three consecutive seasons. At the moment, young talents such as Konstantinos Balogiannis, Zisis Chatzistravros, Lefteris Lyratzis, Marios Tsaousis, and Antonis Gaitanidis are all playing elsewhere on loan, but they are in line to receive an opportunity with the PAOK senior team in the 2020/2021 season.
PAOK finished in second position of the Super League regular season, trailing first-placed Olympiacos by an overwhelming 14 points.
