Greek sports clubs PAOK FC and Olympiacos face major transfer decisions as PAOK refuse to sell star midfielder Giannis Konstantelias to Borussia Dortmund.
PAOK owner Ivan Savvidis holds the final authority over any potential move to the German Bundesliga side, with the Thessaloniki club unwilling to part with their 21-year-old playmaker for a reported fee of 25 million euros.
Although Borussia Dortmund's interest in the Greece international is confirmed, selling Konstantelias would trigger widespread outrage among supporters in northern Greece. Former club figures Vieirinha and Leo Matos will not determine the player's future, and Konstantelias has not requested a transfer away from Toumba Stadium.
PAOK FC are the reigning Greek Super League champions, playing home matches in Thessaloniki. Borussia Dortmund, based in Germany's North Rhine-Westphalia region, are eight-time German champions and regular contenders in the UEFA Champions League.
PAOK basketball roster expansion
In contrast to concerns surrounding the football squad, PAOK BC basketball supporters face no such anxiety over roster stability under primary investor Telis Mystakidis.
Mystakidis informed associates that he intends to complete another high-profile acquisition, offering a salary of up to 3 million euros annually. That figure matches the contract secured by former NBA forward Cedi Osman, establishing a firm salary ceiling for the double-headed eagle of the north to maintain locker room harmony.
While official confirmation regarding the target is pending, EuroLeague veteran Nikola Mirotic remains frequently linked with a move to the black and white side. Mystakidis, a Greek billionaire who recently took control of the basketball section, has pledged significant financial backing to restore PAOK BC to European prominence.
Thomas Walkup contract situation
At Olympiacos BC, point guard Thomas Walkup faces an uncertain future as the August 24 deadline approaches for his mandatory return to initial pre-season training.
Relations between Walkup and the Piraeus club have strained in recent weeks, while interest from newly established franchise Dubai BC remains active. Walkup could resolve the impasse by convincing Dubai BC to increase its transfer offer to the red and whites, paying the remaining difference out of his own pocket to secure his release.
As conditions currently stand, Walkup is unlikely to remain on the roster of the European basketball contenders for the upcoming season. The naturalized Greek point guard has been a core member of Olympiacos BC, a three-time EuroLeague champion based at the Peace and Friendship Stadium in Piraeus.
Jose Luis Mendilibar retained at Olympiacos
On the football side, Olympiacos FC owner Evangelos Marinakis silenced speculation by confirming manager Jose Luis Mendilibar will remain in charge for the 2024-2025 campaign.
The decision caught several club insiders off guard after they anticipated a managerial change following recent domestic setbacks. Marinakis previously supported the 63-year-old Spanish coach with contract renewals after key defeats and European eliminations, demonstrating a relationship built on mutual trust.
Commentators who predicted Mendilibar would depart failed to account for Marinakis acting not only as a shipping magnate and club president but also as a dedicated supporter with a strong personal attachment to the manager. Mendilibar famously led Olympiacos FC to their first European trophy by winning the UEFA Europa Conference League in May 2024.
Objectives for Greek and European competitions
Mendilibar remaining in charge means full responsibility for upcoming results rests directly on his shoulders as Olympiacos FC prepare for domestic and continental challenges.
The Spanish manager has expressed no grievances regarding club transfer policy, indicating complete alignment between the coaching staff and club leadership despite online claims suggesting friction. Had Mendilibar disagreed with the board's strategic direction, he would have stepped down.
With managerial continuity established, Mendilibar must now construct a competitive squad at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium capable of reclaiming the Greek Super League championship and mounting an extended run in the UEFA Europa League.
