AEK is stepping up its transfer plans, aiming to finalize its second signing of the summer immediately following the acquisition of Oleksandr Zubkov.

The club’s staff has been working intensively lately, with Javier Ribalta focusing on strengthening three positions: namely defensive midfielder, center back, and attacking midfielder. However, the top priority appears to be signing a midfielder and a center back.

According to the report, the Catalan technical director has identified the player Marco Nikolić wants for the midfield and is methodically working on the deal. This player has different characteristics from those of Dmitri Barinov, whom the Serbian coach still likes, but his situation remains difficult due to the circumstances surrounding the Russia-Ukraine war.

At the same time, Russian media outlets continue to focus on Barinov’s name, reporting that CSKA Moscow has already identified a potential replacement for him in the event of his transfer. However, from AEK’s side, there have been no official developments regarding the matter.

There is optimism within the club that there may be even more than one transfer development before the team departs for the Netherlands. Pre-season training begins with fitness and medical tests on July 3, and on July 6, the team will travel for the main phase of their training camp.

*photo source: AEK FC