pash

I think he only played Biseswar when it was obvious all of his other choices flamed out. Think about it - El Kaddouri isn't much of a playmaker, but got constant game time until he got hurt. Then Shakhov as a #10, just as bad. Pelkas didn't kick into high gear for a few months either, but by then Biseswar had finally gotten a run and proved too hot to remove from the lineup. I worry that Lucescu's rumored proclivity towards a 4-4-2 (and his stated belief that a team shouldn't need defensive midfielders) is going to harm us. It's a big change from how we play now. Basically, he may want something like the below, with Pelkas playing as a striker and two CMs who want to run forward. --Mauricio--Wernbloom-- --Campos-- --Henrique-- --Pelkas--Prijovic-- And yes, you should just consider Prijovic to be a placeholder in that example.

OnSports is reporting that Srna is in Thessaloniki. TERRIBLE idea. Why do we need a 36 year old right back????

You'll be glad to know that Red Star is reportedly interested in Crespo!

I can't keep track of who owns what! -edit- some more transfer BS: Besiktas still interested in Pelkas, but apparently also taking a look at Mak Our GK won't be heading to Napoli, as they have signed a GK The offer to Wernbloom seems to be 1.2mm/year (post-tax) + signing bonus https://www.transfermarkt.com/pontus-wernbloom/profil/spieler/36688 Looks like he likes to fight:

Pelkas, Koulouris, Limnios apparently got some gym work in today. In most leagues this wouldn't be surprising, but hopefully it's a sign that our younger players are intending to become the genetic freaks we all know they have buried within them.

SAY IT AIN'T SO! http://to10.gr/podosfero/superleague/260707/paok-vomva-ramon-planes/

Some rumors I read today: Mak is a goner, as Lucescu doesn't want him. He also doesn't seem impressed with El Kaddouri, who wants to return to Italy (which I could have told you 10 months ago). Apparently he also isn't that keen on keeping Biseswar, but will likely not force the issue if a good offer isn't made. Besiktas still wants Pelkas, apparently their boss is very keen on him. As for KPaps, Hamburg wants to recoup much of what they spent on procuring the player's services (about 6.5mm EUR), which is an amount we absolutely will not meet. I wonder if we'll work out a deal for a loan, after paying a million or so. Hatseridis is still on the table as well. Rey also apparently not in the plans of Lucescu. It's a shame, I thought he was decent. No word on Glykos. -edit- forgot to mention that I read a few days ago that there was some interest in Henrique from various places (Latin America, Europe, I think the Middle East) - if Mak doesn't come back, then you can bet Lucescu is going to take a good hard look at him before a sale

We'll see if he's improved during the preseason. He has all the potential, just needs to reach it.

For sure. We would have hit the ground running. Kitsiou and Charisis are now on their way back to Greece. No word on if an offer was made, though I'm also not sure if they'd be able to take action on their clauses prior to the transfer window opening anyway.

The Serbs are saying that the Saudis are offering us 5mm for Prijovic and 8mm a year to the player. For 8 million, I'd cause trouble with my club too. Al Nassr is the team in question.

I'd be fine loaning him if Conte (Conde?) is bought. Still need a Prijo replacement

If only we knew who Napoli was scouting at that game. 1.5 seems a bit low for a team of their means.

Haha, he also said he'd entertain an offer from literally anyone. He could give two shits about us, but if the price is right I'd take him. He's a free agent now I think.

Gary Rodrigues is now linked with Crystal Palace. At least one site is claiming the offer to the Turks will net us up to 4mm, due to our resale clause. That would be pretty great - fingers crossed!

I'd be shocked if he went there, even if an offer were made. Is Besiktas itself saying this, or is it Turkish media? Seems uncharacteristic for a club to make these pronouncements.

OnSports reporting that Lucescu hasn't left Greece for vacation as he is working on what he wants for next year's roster. Supposedly he's already delivered the list of players he wants to get rid of to Michel, and is considering who should be loaned and who should be brought back. It sounds like he wants everything but the new signings to be decided before he heads to the Netherlands. He kept the team very fit last season, so I have high hopes that when we start our qualifiers, we won't have missed a beat. We started off very poorly last season, and it was terrible that we had players returning to Greece in worse shape than when we left.

Here's a surprising bit of news - Real Betis is interested in a reunion with Canas (he got his start in their youth and then C- and B- teams). InPAOK saying they'd give 2mm for him, which is a price I'd accept without even thinking about

Now that would be a hell of a move, though if we got him we'd have to kick quite a few other players to the curb - Leovac (who is keen on making the sale official) Leveque (who could have died months ago for all I know) Giannoulis (who I had hoped would make it into the club as the #2 next season - unless his loan was for more than one season?) Azevedo (who failed to make his mark and doesn't seem worth buying) Actually now that I think about it, it would be nice to get rid of so many players. Especially if Giannoulis is going to be on loan for another season.

Yeah, but he says a lot of stuff! Saw a few sites claim Pukki rejected a contract extension (with significant raise) from Brondy in order to go to Greece. I was kind of afraid that he'd be the one we'd get. Not convinced as to his quality.

Savvidis is expected to push for a new contract for Pelkas, which would raise his buy out clause to 10mm (and give him an increase in pay). Didn't he just sign a new one last year? The younger Savvidis has been posting on Instagram about a "bomba" signing soon. We'll see about that. I noticed that the day after, he said it was *not* Kpaps.

So did Lazaros really sign a contract with both teams? I find that hard to believe

Really? That seems strange. Unless there's something planned for their time in Thessaloniki that would fall right in between? I'd get it if we went to a second country so we could get more friendlies under our belt, but two in Holland makes little sense to me.

Lucescu is reportedly very close to signing his extension. He and Michel have also set the preseason to begin on June 20th, with the training camp in The Netherlands to begin on the 22nd.

I believe Garcia also mentioned in an interview the other day, something along the lines of "why get all these players from abroad when we have so many here?" Damn right, Pablo.

Varela was named player of the season. Took it well: