2021 Transfer Round Up - Greek Defenders Could be on The Move
Greek defenders are in demand with three to set to move on to pastures new in the January transfer window. Dimitris Giannoulis, Vasilios Zagaritis, and Sokratis Papastathopoulos are all expected to sign for new clubs this month.
Norwich City has reportedly made an ambitious attempt to bring in the Greek international left back Dimitris Giannoulis. The offer made to PAOK is an initial loan until the end of the season, with an obligation to pay a fee of €7.5 million at the end of the season to make the move permanent.
Giannoulis, who was previously linked with a move to Newcastle in the summer, is thought to be a priority target for the club. Having sold Jamal Lewis to Newcastle for €15 million in September, Norwich have since struggled to find an adequate replacement. Xavier Quintilla, on loan from Villarreal, is the current first choice left back, but he is currently sidelined with a mystery injury that could lead to him being sent back to his parent club.
There has been no mention whether the obligation to buy would be linked to securing promotion to the Premier League, though currently four points clear at the top of the Championship, it could be a worthy risk to complete the deal without such a clause.
Another Greek Left Back Attracting Foreign Interest
Reports suggest that Panathinaikos left back Vasilios Zagaritis is a top target for Parma in the January transfer window. The 20-year-old has been attracting admirers ever since coming through the youth ranks and breaking into the first team squad last season. This season, he already has 12 appearances to his name. However, he is out of contract in June and Parma believe they may be able to attract him to Italy.
Parma certainly needs defensive depth having suffered five defeats in a row. Zagaritis will certainly provide that and at good value unless he agrees a new deal with his Greek club.
Sokratis Could Return to Greece
Arsenal are making headlines at various news sites such as 101greatgoals sports for their own injury crisis at the back but despite that, are still willing to let one leave during the January transfer window.
Arsenal defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos, who has been frozen out at the club, has reportedly attracted the interest of Olympiacos. The defender was omitted from the squad alongside Mesut Özil at the start of the season and is yet to make a solitary appearance since.
Out of contract at the end of the season, Arsenal are prepared to let him go in the January window. Previous interest has been lodged by Fenerbahce and Napoli but it now looks like Olympiacos are keen to bring him home.
The Greek international centre back has enjoyed a glittering career to date playing for AEK Athens, Genoa, AC Milan, Werder Bremen, Borussia Dortmund, and then Arsenal. However, it is believed by many that the £17.6 million move to Arsenal has not been the success that was hoped for.
Nicknamed ‘Papa’ by Arsenal fans, the player is out of contract at the end of the season where he could sign for clubs for free but Arsenal would likely listen to small offers now to get his reportedly large wages off the books. Could he decide to go finish his career back in Greece? Olympiacos could guarantee far more minutes than he receives right now and as one of the top clubs in the country, could give him the chance to add to his career honours.
It would certainly be a boost for the Super League to have a player of his stature return.
