Transfer News and Rumors - Summer 2023

[pash]

Ingason's deal seems to be for 4mm + bonuses (?). He'll be signing a 5-year contract at 1.5mm per year. I think that's good business on all sides, assuming Toasty can match Ingason's performances.

Sorry Bananas, I think holding on to people who want to make a switch is not a winning strategy - if you get a good price, sell and move on. The team should be constantly churning players; it's up to the coach to solidify them into a cohesive unit.

Besides, Ingason probably will be very excited to go somewhere that has first-world plumbing.

[Athens4]

It is a deal that makes sense for both sides.

PAOK is selling for pretty much the same price they bought him for (+ a bonus too). The player gets a big contract to see out his (potentially) final years and is also much closer to home. Thanks for everything Sverrir, we wish you all the best in Denmark.

I honestly expect Troost-Ekong to better than him, though knowing our luck he will do a 'Kargas' against Beitar next month.

[pash]

I forgot that Rostov has a 25% resale on our original deal with him, so we'll be short another million. That's rough.

[Bananas]

It's not the sale of key players that concerns me so much but rather our ability to replace them with like for like (or better).  And now that our budget is smaller it makes the task even harder.  It is what it is.

[Athens4]

How did they manage to broker a 25% resale?

[pash]

By letting us pay less than they wanted? Would have been noted when the transaction happened, but he's been with us so long that we forgot.

[Dutch Eagle]

[pash]

I highly doubt this, but I'd welcome it. That would be a very, very good deal for us:

Just don't re-hire Olsen.

[Athens4]

Unless it's Fabrizio Romano, I wouldn't pay much attention.

Edited July 4 by Athens4

[Athens4]

Though it it does happen then we have no chance at finding a keeper of the same standard. Lucescu will probably get Biseswar back in on a GK contract.

[paokarag4]

Wouldn't be ideal to lose Kortarski after one season, very impressed with his season. I suppose if an offer comes in of 10+ Million you don't really have a choice, but I don't think after one season in Greece without playing in Europe the offers would be around that. More likely in the 5-7 mil range, in which case I say no thanks. 

Hang onto him for another season, he'll no doubt continue to perform and if we manage to qualify for Europe and plays well on that stage his price will continue to rise. 

[pash]

Rumors that Samata might actually go to the Saudi league (allegedly his own reps are saying that is nonsense and he will be in SKG this weekend). Guess we'll see soon enough.

[PAOKSYD]

Another painful transfer season! 

The last 3 seasons have been painful.... 

Whats wrong with Ivan? 

[Bananas]

I reckon maybe Putin confiscated a bunch of Ivan's money.

[Athens4]

"I reckon maybe" - you ever thought about going into journalism? 

[Athens4]

I think Kotarski will be sold if we do not make it through to the group stages. In fact I believe he will be one of a few. Perhaps Konstantelias and Zivkovic.

[PaokCT]

I’d be completely fine with a fire sale to be honest. Sell everyone and build from the academy (that honestly may not be too great seeing how the U19s did in the euros)

[PAOKSYD]

The russians are spending in Dubai like crazy... Where is Ivan hidding??

[Blackhawk]

Ivan is at his ranch in Rostov and soon to be vacationing in Porto Karras in Halkidiki.

Don't think there will be a fire sale, but I expect at least one more player sale to happen.

Ingason was no. 7 on my "sale" list. I think the next sale will be one of Zivkovic, Konstantelias or Kotarski. Will probably happen after our European games.

Baba Rahman is in Thessaloniki so expect an official signing soon.

[Blackhawk]

Baba Rahman announced officially by PAE PAOK. Signed until June 30, 2026. Chelsea maintains a 10% resale option.

[Bananas]

Remind me again was Baba any good and would he be considered an upgrade over Rafa?  I guess if not upgrade then we have some depth.

[pash]

I honestly still cannot think of a reason why we hired him again haha

 

Also - this intense stare down between Karypidis and him already doesn't bode well hahaha

[paokarag4]

I remember Baba as being a solid player. Not sure there is an obvious starter between he and Rafa. I think it gives us a good depth at left-back, even though we are still crying out for a striker. 

[PaokCT]

Wow we got depth. Meanwhile there are holes missing. Not just yours @pash. The last few years have been an embarrassment in terms of building a competitive team. For our standards. I hear rumors Savvidis may end up leaving soon, through my connection/non connections in security, even though they obviously don’t do their job…

[Athens4]

The problem is that PAOK never learns from the same mistakes. It seems all our scouts are able to do it find players that used to play for us on loan and rehire them.