Transfer News and Rumors - Summer 2026

[paokarag4]

Once again we move at an astrnomically slow speed. These are key decisions that need to be made quickly, not a week and a half before pre-season is due to commence. 

There has been ample time for the club to move on Lucescu and have brought in a new manager and have been focusing on transfers and what type of player the new coach wants/needs. 

Instead we are here with the club seemingly scrambling late in the piece trying to figure out what the coaching staff will look like for 26-27. Poor managment and such slow decision making always sets us behind the 8 ball and it's only June. It sets us up to chase our tail for the rest of the season. 

[PAOKSYD]

The way Savvidis runs the club is a joke. 

[Blackhawk]

Apparently Kedziora wants to leave and sign with Dynamo Kiev. 

[pash]

This is great news; and with Lucescu gone there should be fewer obstacles to it. We need to get younger AND better defensively.

[Blackhawk]

If Kedziora leaves, we will need to sign 3 center backs. Not sure how it can be accomplished. In the past when we needed a CB we ended in the last minutes with over the hill Lovren. I think Kedziora is a decent CB, but like some other players on the team he has been overused by Lucescu. I would keep him as long as we acquire another starter in that position.

[pash]

There are a few rumored names over the last day or so. Both are 32 years old and play in Spain.

 

CB - Aritz Elustondo. Last played for Real Sociedad, and will be a free agent on the 30th:

https://www.transfermarkt.us/aritz-elustondo/profil/spieler/229804

 

CM - Baptiste Santamaria. Currently plays for Valencia and has a contract through the 26/27 season:

https://www.transfermarkt.us/baptiste-santamaria/profil/spieler/285323

[paokarag4]

Kedziora officially been announced by Dynamo Kyiv. Michailidis the only senior center back left in the squad as things stand. The center of our defence is going to look very different in 26-27. Lots of work to do for Vieirinha and Matos

[pash]

Out with the old in with the new!!!!

[pash]

As was the case last summer, they're saying we want Chatzidiakos again. Don't know how realistic that is considering he's been with Copenhagen for only a season. Though I'll note that last season didn't seem to go too well for them, as they ended up (barely) in the bottom half of the table. But, confusingly, still managed a conference league spot for this summer.

https://www.transfermarkt.us/pantelis-hatzidiakos/profil/spieler/144244

Tbh I doubt he'd be too expensive. Age isn't terrible as well, and we obviously need a replacement for Kedziora (and I generally support actually having Greeks on the roster).

[pash]

Also rumors that we might activate our clause for Bianco - I like that; I thought he was pretty decent.