For years, the term “airport transfer” has been common in Greece. After winning the league and cup, this is arguably the third – not entirely unimportant – “title” in Greek football. Record champions Olympiakos have often been ahead in this regard. But currently, the competition is disputing this “title” as well.
On Wednesday evening, the last “airport transfer” landed in Athens for the time being. A few thousand AEK fans were waiting for Anthony Martial and celebrated the Frenchman’s arrival with singing and pyrotechnics. The 28-year-old striker made 317 competitive appearances during his nine-year career at Manchester United, scoring 90 goals and setting up 47 more.
Lille, Flamengo, several Premier League teams, as well as big money from Qatar and the Emirates had not been able to persuade him this summer. Martial has signed a three-year contract in Athens in an attempt to stop his recent steep decline. Numerous AEK fans were already in attendance two months ago when Argentine Erik Lamela (last from Sevilla) landed.
Another big name arrived in Athens two weeks ago. Just like Martial, winger Willian had left the Premier League after several years, where he had made over 400 competitive appearances for Chelsea and, most recently, Fulham (73 goals, 64 assists). The 36-year-old Brazilian joined record champions Olympiacos on a free transfer for the next two years.
Panathinaikos also made a few signings from England and Manchester United. The Uruguayan Facundo Pellistri left the Red Devils to move to the Greek capital. The services of the 22-year-old winger cost the Athenians over six million euros. The Brazilian striker Tete, who had also moved from Galatasaray to the Greek capital, even made the Greeks shell out around one and a half million euros.
Champions PAOK also made a move in the “airport transfers” department. On the last transfer day, 35-year-old center back Dejan Lovren transferred from Olympique Lyon to the Greek port city of Thessaloniki. Lovren is best known for his many years of appearances with Liverpool and the Croatian national team. Tiemoue Bakayoko had also transferred to the Greek champions before that. The 30-year-old midfielder has previously played for Monaco, Chelsea, Milan and Napoli, among others.
Quaison agrees with Aris – Ex-Mainzer for two years to Thessaloniki
Another old acquaintance is still expected in Thessaloniki. The Swede Robin Quaison has agreed with Aris on a two-year contract. The former Mainz player (123 Bundesliga games, 31 goals) had left the Saudi club Al-Ettifaq at the beginning of the summer after three years and had been without a club ever since. This enabled him to move to the northern Greek port city. There, Quaison will also meet former Bundesliga player Vladimir Darida. The 34-year-old Czech is entering his third season in Thessaloniki.
Huge competition for the title and Europe
This summer, for the first time in many years, the major Greek clubs spent more than €60 million on transfer fees alone. In addition, dozens of new players signed seven-figure contracts. The competition for the title is as fierce as never before. Four teams are more or less neck-and-neck in the race for the title and for the now two Champions League qualifying spots. For this reason alone, the high investments make sense.
But the second-tier teams are also investing heavily in order to get their hands on the fifth European starting place. A few days ago, Asteras Tripoli hired former world-class player Claude Makelele as their new coach. In the league, former internationally renowned players Pablo Garcia (formerly a player for Real Madrid and Milan, among others, and now a coach at Atromitos) and Otto Rehhagel’s former defensive colossus Traianos Dellas (who coaches OFI) are already training. Thus, further “airport transfers” appear to be only a matter of time. Especially since players without a club could still move up to the Super League by the end of the month.