Thrylos 7 International
·20 January 2025
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Yahoo sportsThrylos 7 International
·20 January 2025
Outgoing Transfers: A Focus on Loan Moves
Several players have been loaned out in recent weeks, signaling a reshuffling of resources:
· Andreas Ntoi has joined sister club Rio Ave, where he’ll reunite with Angelos Sina, Omar Richards, Mario Vrousai, and Nelson Abbey. Abbey’s loan at Swansea was cut short to facilitate his move to Portugal.
· Youth League winner Isidoros Koutsidis has moved to Volos. However, concerns linger about his game time, as he may remain a third or fourth choice in central defence.
· Long-time servant Thanasis Androutsos has finalised a permanent move to OFI. Androutsos, who contributed significantly during his time at Olympiacos, departs with best wishes from the club and fans alike.
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Incomings: Winger a Top Priority
The club’s primary need is a dynamic winger, with several names linked:
Marcus Edwards
The 26-year-old English-Cypriot winger, currently training alone at Sporting Lisbon, is back on Olympiacos’ radar. Both the player and Sporting are seeking a resolution by the end of the transfer window. However, there are complications:
· Genoa, initially in the running, has signed Maxwell Cornet, leaving Olympiacos and Nottingham Forest as the main contenders.
· Forest, dealing with Callum Hudson-Odoi’s injury, may prioritise Edwards for their squad rather than loaning him to Olympiacos. The player’s market value hovers around €15 million, a figure that could drop to €10 million but remains a challenging sum for Olympiacos.
Ramon Sosa
Should Forest sign Edwards, there may be an opportunity for Olympiacos to secure Ramon Sosa on a six-month loan. This hinges on how Nottingham Forest reshuffle their squad following any additions.
Character Concerns
Reports about Marcus Edwards’ attitude and dressing room presence have surfaced. However, such claims lack corroboration from his time at Tottenham or Vitória, where he performed well. Coach José Luis Mendilibar, known for his aversion to disruptive players, will likely scrutinise this aspect before approving any move.
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Olympiacos remains interested in André Horta, with the club and player both keen on a reunion. Braga’s €9.5 million asking price is a significant obstacle. Santos FC’s interest in Horta was rebuffed by the player, fueling hope for a deal before the window closes. With Braga known for tough negotiations, this transfer may go down to the wire.
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Left-Back Situation: What’s Next?
The left-back position has garnered attention, but the club appears hesitant to make a major investment. The rumored move for Onyaemachi from Boavista is under consideration, but doubts remain about the value of spending €3 million on a player who may not be significantly better than the current options.
Instead, Olympiacos may focus on accelerating Athanasiou’s arrival, offering depth while selling Apostolopoulos for a rumored fee of €600,000–700,000. The club could revisit the left-back position in the summer when more resources may be available.
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Olympiacos’ transfer strategy is heavily influenced by financial fair play regulations. The club’s limited financial flexibility stems from recent high-wage contracts and loan fees, such as those for James Rodríguez, Marcelo, and Konrad de la Fuente. Selling players like Oleg Reabciuk has provided some relief, but prudent management remains paramount.
The club’s summer plans could benefit from potential Champions League revenue—if Olympiacos secures the league title. Winning the Super League Greece is now a top priority to strengthen the financial position and ensure qualification for Europe’s premier competition.
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Conclusion: Key Moves Await
Olympiacos faces tough decisions in the final days of the transfer window. The pursuit of a winger remains the primary focus, with Marcus Edwards as the standout target. However, financial limitations mean the club must weigh its options carefully. Left-back reinforcements and the ongoing André Horta negotiations add layers of complexity to an already challenging window.
As the clock ticks down, fans hope for impactful signings to help the team secure the league title and progress in Europe. For now, patience and precision will define Olympiacos’ transfer approach.
Watch the full Winter Transfer Analysis on our Youtube Channel