Transfer talk heats up in Piraeus

The transfer window is still a few months away, but when it comes to Greek clubs the transfer talk starts months ahead of the actually transfer period — especially for the likes of Olympiacos and its rivals. This year is no different as Greek media — along with help from foreign press — is right on queue in their bid to start a soap opera-like series of transfer rumors.

With Olympiacos looking to fill gaps in their roster, this years winter transfer window could be a little more active than in recent years. The main priority may come in goal, as veteran goalkeeper Antonis Nikopolidis considers retirement. Recent reports have revealed Nikopolidis is willing to stay at Karaiskaki for another term, but Olympiacos — at least according to Greek media — is not taking any risks. The Greek Champions have apparently set their sights on Nikopolidis’ replacement with Villarreal’s Diego Lopez, and former-Iraklis keeper Urko Pardo being the front runners. Previous rumors had also linked Olympiacos with Cameroon international Carlos Kameni. WIth two other goalies already on the roster, the acquisition of another keeper could leave summer transfer Pavel Kovac the odd man out.

In the midfield many uncertainities plague Olympiacos’ near future. With an agging core the main driving force in the Olympiacos midfield, fear of injuries is ever so present. Meanwhile, Sebastian Leto’s move to Piraeus is limited to only a loan at the moment and the Greek Champions are in the hunt for a possible replacement. Polish press have linked Legia Warsaw’s Roger Guerreiro with ‘O Thrylos’. Reports have gone as far as stating an Olympiacos scout was present at the Poland vs. Czech Republic World Cup qualifier on Saturday. The Brazilian-born Poland international notched his side’s only goal at EURO 2008.

A soap-opera has developed with Nery Alberto Castillo, after the Mexico international narrowly missed out on a return to Piraeus ahead of the deadline for the summer transfer window. Nicknamed ‘Nintendo’ during his stay at Karaiskaki, Castillo has not found success during his travels abroad. The much anticapted move to Ukraine with Shakhtar Donetsk did not goes as planned, nor did the loan move to Premier League club Manchester City. A string of tough luck has tarnished Castillo’s career in recent months, leaving the Mexican international in a desperate search to return to Greece. His current club have stubbornly averted allowing Castillo return to Limani, as they have set the price too high for Olympiacos’ liking. If the two sides are unable to reach an agreement (or if Castillo is not allowed to transfer to any other club) Castillo is willing to settle the matter with the likes of UEFA and FIFA.

Another saga involves Olympiacos in an apparent desire to bring Lomana Lua Lua back to Olympiacos. The current al-Arabi striker never wanted to leave Greece in the first place, but the Congo international could be sour about return to Piraeus. However, media reports conclude Lua Lua is still interested in returning to Greece and his preferred choice is in fact Olympiacos.

Nothing is for certain until the transfer period actually begins, and even then the wait it could be a long one. For now, fans like you and I must count on (I don’t if it’s possible) on media reports like these to keep up with all the gossip surrounding the Greek Champions.

Category: Olympiacos Team News

Tags: Al Arabi, Cameroon, Carlos Kameni, Congo, Diego Lopez, England, Espanyol, Greece, Greek Super League, Legia Warsaw, Lomana Lua Lua, Manchester City, Mexico, Nery Alberto Castillo, Olympiacos, Olympiacos Team News, Poland, Qatar, Roger Guerreiro, Romania, Shakhtar Donetsk, Spain, Steaua Bucharest, Ukraine, Urko Pardo, Villarreal

Subscribe   The Offside RSS Feeds

Print

Share