WINTER TRANSFER WINDOW 2020/21: Super League Ins & Outs

WINTER TRANSFER WINDOW 2020/21: Super League Ins & Outs

By Michael Vissini

THE BIG 5:

OLYMPIACOS:

Ins:

Reabciuk (LB - Pacos Ferreira: €2.8M), Sokratis (CB - Free), Lala (RB - Strasbourg: Undisclosed fee), Kosti (DM – AEL: Loan cancelled)

Outs:

Vinagre (LB - Wolves: Loan cancelled), Cisse (CB - ASSE; Loan 6 mth), Bullari (ST - Atromitos: free), Bruno (RW - Released), Soudani (SS - Released), Rafinha (RB - Released), Cafu (DM - Nottingham Forest: Permanent), Lovera (AM - Racing: Loan 1 yr)

No nonsense business by the defending Super League champions. Olympiacos identified the lack of attacking efficiency from the full backs of Holebas and Rafinha. The 36 year old was originally assigned as an understudy to Wolves loanee Vinagre, who failed miserably and his loan was cut, thus dubbed the flop of the season. 

On the other side, Rafinha is a great professional but didn’t meet the requirements of replacing Elabdellaoui (Now at Galatasaray) which the 35 year old Brazilian parted ways with the club freeing up €1.5M in wages. Thrylos repaired the positions with the acquisitions of Reabciuk and Lala. Reabciuk at left-back has been a hit and it is money well spent, while Lala shows great optimism amongst the Olympiacos faithful with his prowess overlapping runs and physical attributes. 

Moreover, the BOMB, signing Sokratis on a free transfer, after a 13 long career in Europe, the big Messinian defender returned to Greece on behalf of Olympiacos and will link up with Semedo to form one of the best centre-back partnerships outside the Top 5 European leagues. 

However, the arrival of Sokratis pushed Cisse down the pecking order, thus was loaned out to Ligue 1 club ASSE (Saint-Etienne) which includes a €13M buy option. 

Finally, the business concludes with Nottingham Forest permanently signing Cafu, Argentinean club Racing will sign Lovera on a 1 year loan that includes a €5M buy option, academy striker Bullari moved to Atromitos for first team football and Soudani and Bruno terminated their contracts. 

Overall, a magnificent transfer period for Olympiacos, mitigating the problems in the full back positions as well as upgrading the central defence.

PANATHINAIKOS:

Ins: Sankhare (CM - CSKA Sofia: Free), Ngbakoto (RW - Guingamp: Free), Niasse (CB/DM - LOSC Lille: Loan 6 mth)

Outs: Antonito (RB - Released), Zagaritis (LB – Parma:€ 260k), Emmanouilidis (RW - Fortuna Sittard: Loan 6 mth), Mavrommatis (CB – Atromitos: Free), Konan (ST – Released)

Panathinaikos fans have every right to be frustrated and pessimistic after the winter window. Senegalese midfielder Sankhare is perhaps the pick of the three signings though he is a problematic character, but there is no question about his football abilities. Quality addition, but his character will be tested. Ngbakoto pushed Emmanouilidis at the exit, with the highly rated winger forcing a move to Fortuna Sittard on loan with a €500k buy option, which I personally find this deal shocking. 

Of course, not to be surprised considering several talents departed Panathinaikos on the cheap in recent years, with the problem stemming from the man at the top. As for Ngbakoto, typical Greek media are hyping him as if he is the next big star, the same was done with Carlitos, Bech etc., but let’s see what the Congolese winger offers in Greece. 

The inexperienced Niasse is the final signing on a dry loan from LOSC Lille, who is sworn in to provide depth mainly at CB since Mavrommatis departed the club due to limited opportunities. Viewing the squad on paper, there is no depth at right-back. Sanchez is the only option while Mollo is currently transitioning into the position. Eyebrows are raised why the club did not target a right-back the whole window as Mollo is not a long-term fix. 

Anyways, the outs: Antonito, who somehow passed his medical with tuberculosis last summer, granted his release. Another mistreatment of a young talent, this time Zagaritis, who joined Italian side Parma on the cheap with 6 months remaining on his contract and time will tell if the 19 year old left-back excels abroad after turning down a contract extension offered by the Tryfilli. 

All eyes on the new signings if they can assist Panathinaikos in achieving European qualification, and if you ask me, I am not that confident and I do hope that I am wrong at the end.

AEK:

Ins: Danchenko (RB - Rubin Kazan: Undisclosed fee)

Outs: Botos (AM - Go Ahead Eagles: Loan 18 mth), Karaklajic (RW - FK Rad: Loan 6 mth), Simao (DM - Moreirense: Loan 6 mth), Paulinho (RB - Released)

Quiet window for AEK as they mainly prioritised in bolstering the right-back position considering Jimenez cut Vasilantonopoulos and Paulinho from the team, which the latter was granted his release. 

This left the Spanish coach with Bakakis and the inexperienced Radonja at his disposal, so AEK strengthened the position with the addition of Danchenko from Rubin Kazan, who played at FC Ufa on loan this season and is arguably the best right-back in the Russian League. 

The Ukrainian arrived on a permanent transfer for an undisclosed fee and is more than capable of operating further up at right-wing. On the outs, academy product Botos will ply his trade in the Dutch 2nd-tier with Go Ahead Eagles for 18 months, while Karakaljic plays the rest of the season in Serbian with FK Rad and Simao was loaned out to Moreirense with a buy option. 

Overall, mixed feelings, despite the great addition of Danchenko, AEK should have signed a centre-back. They attempted to reel in Sokratis but were unsuccessful, with the club emphasizing the after the failure of signing Sokratis that they won’t bolster the position.

PAOK

Ins: Krmencik (Club Brugge: Loan 6 mth), Warda (Volos: Free), Kagawa (Free), Bradonjic (FK Radnik Bijeljina: undisclosed fee), Baba Rahman (Chelsea: Loan 6 mth), Lamprou (FC Twente: Loan cancelled)

Outs: Giannoulis (LB - Norwich City: Loan 6 mth), Esiti (DM - Goztepe: Loan 6 mth), Biseswar (AM - Apollon Limassol: Loan 6 mth), Rey (GK - Gimnasia La Plata: Free)

Unlike last winter transfer window, PAOK were very active and produced one of the BOMB transfers by signing former Borussia Dortmund star Kagawa on an 18 month deal, after the Japanese international was persuaded via a phone call from Pablo Garcia about the project he is building at PAOK. Big boost not only for the club, but for the league too, as well as attracting attention in Japan. Czech striker Krmencik arrived on loan from Club Brugge and has brought in a unique attacking dimension with his off the ball mobility being crucial. 

Egyptian international Warda earned his return to PAOK after a short stint with Volos, with Pablo Garcia giving him one more chance for the Egyptian to prove his worth. Another talking point is Giannoulis loaned out to Championship leaders Norwich on loan with a 7.5M mandatory buy option if Premier league promotion is secured, disputing if it was a good or bad choice, I personally don’t mind the move since Norwich have a very strong and compact team this season. 

Afterwards, PAOK found Baba Rahman from the Chelsea Reserves to replace the number one Ethniki left-back. The minority are salivating because the Ghanaian comes from Chelsea, but there is great amount of pressure considering his injury record almost emulates Stafylidis. 

Meanwhile, Bosnian prodigy Bradonjic arrives from FK Radnik signing a multi-year deal as well as Lamprou returning from FC Twente in order to provide depth on the wings. To end with the outs: out of favour players Biseswar and Esiti are loaned out and the unknown Argentinean goalkeeper Rey returns to his homeland. Good business, but my only concern is the loan signing of Baba Rahman though maybe he will find his feet in Greece.

ARIS:

Ins: Ioannou (LB - Nottingham Forest: Loan 6 mth), Mitroglou (ST - Marseille: Free), Bruno (RW - Free)

Outs: Datkovic & Lopez (CB & ST - Cartagena: Loan 6 mth), Hatzipirpiridis (LB - OF Ierapetra: Loan 6 mth), Adem (DM - FK Shkupi: Loan 6 mth)

First tick off the checklist for Aris was left-back, with the acquisition of Cypriot international Ioannou on loan from Nottingham Forest, and quite obvious a level above Ganea for the position. Next, the third BOMB, the wantaway striker Mitroglou finally escaped the hell hole that is Marseille and has joined the God of War on a 18 month deal, sworn to improve the finishing up front since Lopez and Manos have been lethargic in converting chances. Third and final addition is Bruno, who was released from Olympiacos, providing depth for the wing, even at right-back if a defensive crisis arises. Great additions by Aris, and hope they aim for more big signings in the next transfer windows. 

On the outs: The underperforming Lopez headed back to Spain on loan at Cartagena, joining his former teammate Datkovic, who is also on loan at the Spanish club. Adem is sent out on loan to FK Shkupi and 19 year old left-back Hatzipirpiridis will spend the rest of the season in the Super League 2 with Cretan club OF Ierapetra.

THE REST OF THE CLUBS

ASTERAS TRIPOLIS:

Ins:

Outs: Antzoulas (CB - Cosenza: Loan), Orosco (RW - O’Higgins: Free)

One of the least active clubs in the transfer window, coach Rastavac is satisfied with the current crop of players and are playing attractive football with the Arcadians on verge of sealing a spot in the play-offs. Only two departures with highly rated academy product Antzoulas signing on loan at Italian club Consenza, with the deal including a buy option for the Serie B side to activate. 

The 20 year old is well aware of the Italian environment due to his time with the Fiorentina reserves 3 years ago. Argentinean midfielder Orosco found it difficult settling in Greece and departed after 6 months, signing for Chilean club O’Higgins.

APOLLON SMYRNIS:

Ins: Calisir (CB - IFK Goteborg: Free)

Outs: nil

Only a defensive reinforcement was made by Apollon Smyrni with the signing of Armenian international centre-back Calisir from Swedish powerhouse IFK Goteborg. On paper, the 30 year old brings a lot of experience to the Light Brigade as well as bolstering the depth in defence. Good pick up. The only objective for Paraschos mob is to maintain a stable position until the end of the season to ensure Super League safety.

ATROMITOS:

Ins: Edomwonyi (ST - Austria Wien: Loan), Mavrommatis (CB - Panathinaikos: Free), Bullari (ST - Olympiacos: Free)

Outs: Risvanis & Busudladzic (CB & DM - Anorthosis: Free)

Interesting additions were formalised by Atromitos with the signings of Nigerian striker Edomwonyi, who so far looks promising. Mavrommatis has joined the club from Panathinaikos, with the club maintaining a 30% sell on clause. The 24 year old fills in the gap left by Risvanis, now plying his trade with Cypriot club Anorthoses along with Busuladzic. 

Lastly, the signing of 19 year old striker Bullari on a 2,5 year deal from the Olympiacos academy. It is currently unclear whether he will declare his allegiances for Greece or Albania in the future. Nothing much to discuss, just a couple repairs in the squad to ensure there is enough depth.

VOLOS NFC:

Ins: Bueno (AM - Free), Grillo (CB - Free), Santos (RW - Malaga: Free), Miloc (CM - Patronato: Free), Gamboa (AM - Estudiantes de Merida: Free)

Outs:  Warda (AM - PAOK: Free), Guarrotxena (LW - Western United: Free), Karagiozis, Dimopoulos & Jendrisek (GK, CB & ST - Released)

One of the busiest of the rest, totalling 10 movements from the ins and outs, though we witnessed some rather interesting transfers by Volos. Start with the main departure, Warda: the Egyptian was the heart of the Volos midfielder and since he parted ways in order to return to PAOK, it’s had a negative impact on Angel Lopez’s side. Bueno is dubbed as Warda’s replacement, but has registered one appearance and at this stage it does not look promising, though the situation can change. Grillo adds in his versatility to the defence after Dimopoulos was released. 

Portuguese winger Santos signed from Spanish club Malaga, who seems to be a decent addition, and finally the signings of Miloc and Gamboa completed the winter window for the Voliotes. The Argentinean and Venezuelen midfielders were choices by the potential investors of the club. Overall, the additions are average at the best with much of the focus negotiating with Argentinean investors who are interested in the football club. There will be further developments later in the season.

OFI CRETE:

Ins: Castaignos (ST - Free)

Outs: nil 

Giannou has struggled to adapt into Simos’s system at OFI and it was reported the Australian striker was in the process of terminating his contract. This never occurred; the 30 year old stays put in Heraklion and are supposedly allowing his contract to run despite being out of favour. Obviously, OFI’s main priority was a striker and found Castaignos signing until June 2023. The Dutchman was once touted for a bright future after his breakthrough in the 2010/11 season with Feyenoord with 15 goals in 34 games which rewarded a big move to Inter but was unsuccessful. After his time in Italy, 

The 28 year old had a fruitful tenure with FC Twente from 2012 to 2015 with 42 goals in 110 games and then tried his luck in Germany with Eintracht Frankfurt back in 2015. Unfortunately, for the past five years injuries have hampered his career, to the point where he abnormally found himself playing for Gyeongnam FC in South Korea, eventually rock bottom. 

Now, he finds himself in Greece and signed for OFI. I truly believe he can adapt into the Greek climate as well as break OFI’s goal scoring problems, as the Cretans are currently on a six game goal drought.

PAS GIANNINA:

Ins: Milinceanu (ST – FC Vaduz: Free), Lodygin (GK – Free), Triadis (CM – Free)

Outs: nil 

Moldovan striker Milinceanu comes in to add extra fire power upfront for PAS Giannina while former U21 Ethniki goalkeeper Lodygin returned to Greece on behalf of the Epirotes. The latter had a magnificent debut in the 0-2 win against AEK, being a huge influence for Giannikis’s side in claiming the 3 points and keeping a clean sheet. Finally, 23 year old German-Greek midfielder joins on a free transfer, after being without a club for 6 months since departing Los Angeles-based side UCLA Bruins. Good winter window for the Ajax of Epirus.

PANETOLIKOS:

Ins: Manthatis (RW - Free), Edic Cocalic (CB – Altay SK: Free), Helder Barbosa (LW – Hatayspor: Free), Karelis (ST – ADO Den Haag: Free)

Outs: Juan Alvarez (LW – Chacarita Jrs: Loan Cancelled), Luis Mosquera (ST - Released)

Currently in a relegation scrap, Dellas’s Panetolikos have formalised only four additions this winter. Experienced Bosnian centre-back Cocalic comes back to Greece after 9 years since departing Panionios all the way back in 2012 and Panetolikos picked up the 33 year old to ensure stability in the team’s defensive department. The club have also made great attacking additions with former Olympiacos product Manthatis now with the Canaries, as well as former AEK talisman Barbosa to produce chances on the final passage of play. Former Panathinaikos and Ethniki striker Karelis is another talent that has returned to Greece in order to reshape his career after a series of knee injuries. The question is, can he solve Panetolikos goal scoring problems?

AEL:

Ins: Cosic (CB – Free), Colombino & Acuna (CM & ST – Montevideo Wanderers: Free), Karanikas (RB – Free), Maksymenko (CB – Kolos Kovalivka: Free), Jusino (CB – Bolivar: Free), Moukandjo (ST – Free), Jakimovski (LB – S.S. Monopoli: Free), Ben-Hatira (AM – Free), Graur (RB – Astra Giurgiu)

Outs: Platellas (RW – Ionikos: Free), Kosti (DM – Olympiacos: Loan cancelled), Filip, Ghazal, Secerovic, Torje & Younes (LB, DM, CM, LW & ST – Released)

Another typical transfer window for AEL, undergone another overhaul in the team with several players joining on free transfers. The Crimsons sit rock-bottom with 9 points and after 19 rounds they are the only team yet to enter double digits. The club are also having their worst ever season in its 57 year history and have changed coached three times. The ins add up to 10, and only four of the signings look promising, which are Uruguayan contingent Colombino and Acuna from Montevideo Wanderers, Cameroon striker Moukandjo and Tunisian midfielder Ben-Hatira. The rest of the additions are third-rate players and all AEL fans, including myself, hold no confidence and show no sign optimism in the team surviving relegation. Coach Festa, admired by AEL fans from his stint, is throwing everything he has to offer in order to save the club from relegation for a second time. 

The outs: Platellas to Ionikos and the cancellation of Kosti’s loan are the two departures that frustrated me the most, with Kougias deeming both players “not good enough”. Secerovic, Torje and Ghazal were unfairly released, and Filip is perhaps one of the worst left-backs I have ever seen, believing he is the Romanian Roberto Carlos. Younes, too old and the club should not have signed him in the first place. Anyways, it is only a matter of time if the new signings help AEL escape relegation. Consider my pessimism.

LAMIA:

Ins: Martinez (LB - Viitorul: Free), Piti (AM - CA Pinto: Free), Ba, (RW - Berkane: Free), Tyronne (CM - Free), Tzandaris (DM - Free), Vlachos (RB - Free), Bjarnasson (DM - Akhisarspor: Free), Ghazaryan (LW - AEL Limassol: Loan 6 mth), James (Midtjylland: Loan 6 mth)

Outs: Villalba (AM – Club UTC: Free) Bianconi (ST – Levadiakos: Free), Zioulis (CB – Chania: Free), Niasse & Vasilogiannis (DM & RW - Released)

To conclude the overview of the winter transfer window, I finish off with Lamia. The club were rock-bottom but have started to gain on the Super League table picking up valuable points in January with the help of the new players. Players who present a reasonable resume and can help the club thrive in the second half of the season. 

The picks of the bunch is Spanish left-back Martinez, who was formerly of Asteras Tripolis, Tzandaris a handy addition to the midfielder, as well as the experienced Icelandic international Bjarnasson. Of course, Ghazaryan adds to the experience with the Armenian international hailing on loan from Cypriot club AEL Limassol. Spaniards Tyronne and Piti know Lamia from inside out, with both returning for a second and third stint. Canadian centre-back James is a promising addition to provide depth in the defence and support the ageing Vyntra. 

The departures are not up for discussions, they will have zero effect on the team’s performances from here and onwards. Overall, Lamia has recruited fantastically for a bottom-feeder side, reinforcing in certain positions to ensure they stay in the top level of Greece. I am certainly impressed.

 

Reminder: The free agent window ends of February 12th*

Hellas Football 

Follow @michaelvissini