Velez agrees to join Panathinaikos
Fran Velez agrees to join Panathinaikos on a three-year deal from Aris, while the club continues to focus on the contract renewals of current players
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Velez agrees to move south to Panathinaikos
Panathinaikos have officially completed the signing of Spanish centre-back Fran Velez from Aris on a three-year deal. The experienced defender was on the radar of countryman Xavi Roca for some time, and the Greens finally have their man.
The move will take place in the summer, with Velez moving south to continue his playing career. This bodes well for Panathinaikos, following their first signing for the new season in Carlitos, another Spaniard.
Panathinaikos were in regular contact with Velez for a few weeks, and a verbal agreement was already reached, but it is now official as the Trifylli have sent a letter to Aris to notify them.
The squad currently comprises five centre-backs, but some are tipped to leave, particularly one or more of the out of favour trio of Dimitris Kolovetsios, Joao Nunes, and Fanis Mavromatis (who is already out on loan). Velez would bring an element of experience and significantly boost the defensive stocks, should current centre-backs leave. Achilleas Poungouras and Bart Schenkeveld have entrenched themselves as starters this season, and this move will put pressure on them to lift their games further.
Offers received for Macheda
The contract of Italian striker Federico Macheda expires in the summer of 2021, but there has been talk in recent days of a move away. According to reports from Italy, offers from the Middle East and Turkey have been received for the 28-year-old. However, Panathinaiko wants to keep him for at least until the end of next season.
The issue remains with the player possibly wanting to cash in on his excellent form over the last two seasons - he has found a home of sorts at Panathinaikos, and his goal tally has exceeded double digits in both seasons. He is also a leader in the squad’s forward ranks, given the relatively young age of Juan Jose Perea and Argiris Kampetsis.
He is well on track to beat his best-ever scoring season, and at 28, he realises that he is at his prime, meaning that he may have one more ‘big’ contract to sign. Clubs from the Middle East and Turkey would be able to pay more than Panathinaikos and other clubs across Europe, namely from Belgium or the Netherlands.
Panathinaikos are happy with Macheda’s performances, but under Xavi Roca, shrewd moves have already been made. In this case, the player would enter the final year of his contract next season, meaning that he could leave for free in 2021. Instead, the Greens may look to sell him this summer to make a profit, should Macheda himself want to leave.
Slight economic difference for Poungouras
Achilleas Poungouras has taken his game to a new level this season and is another player who has found a home at Panathinaikos during his second season. The centre-back is currently earning a base salary of 60,000 EUR per season, but with bonuses, it reaches 110,000 EUR. Panathinaikos want to keep the rising talent - who has also attracted the attention of Greece coach John van ’t Schip - and offered a new contract of 110,000 EUR without bonuses (a base salary).
Reports indicate that the player was not happy with this offer as he is holding out for a bigger salary - reportedly in the region of 160,000 EUR per season. Should the Trifylli look to match this, Poungouras will remain until 2024.
Poungouras wants to stay, and Panathinaikos are confident of reaching an agreement.
Insua likely to leave
The hope of Emanuel Insua remaining at Panathinaikos beyond this summer is rapidly disappearing. The experienced Argentine has enjoyed strong form at Panathinaikos, and the club has already rejected several offers from abroad (most notably Spain last summer), in a bid to keep him as he is a crucial first-team player.
However, he is off contract in the summer, and it is unlikely that the Greens can meet his financial demands. As a result, Xavi Roca has already shifted his attention to the transfer market in a bid to find a suitable replacement.
Christos Donis wants to stay
News emerged last week that Christos Donis was considering a move away from Panathinaikos in a bid to test himself abroad; however, the player has denied these rumours and clarified that he wants to remain at the club. He is at a good footballing age at 25 and looks more mature. In addition, he has emerged as a leader, playing alongside captain Dimitris Kourbelis in the engine room of midfield.
Giorgos Donis wants Leoforos return
The former player has made it clear that he wants to see the team return to its spiritual home of Leoforos, starting from next season. Donis believes that his side has suffered on multiple occasions over the last two seasons due to the small crowds and poor atmospheres at the OAKA Stadium. He believes that a return to Leoforos will particularly help the team in games against ‘small to medium opposition’ where it is unrealistic to expect huge crowds.
