The 2-0 victory over Aris gave PAOK the much-needed boost following their loss to Panathinaikos, but there’s no time for celebrations at PAOK. Attention is already turning to their upcoming matches, while the transfer market remains open.
Simon Banza is already in Thessaloniki and is now counting down the days until he gets into the swing of things with his new team. The 30-year-old forward is expected to be officially announced by PAOK; the deal involves his loan from Al Jazira and includes a purchase option.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Banza is expected to take part in his first training session and be available to coach Alesio Lisi for the upcoming matches. The first match after the Thessaloniki derby is against Atromitos in the Greek Cup, with the new forward set to begin his adaptation process immediately.
The signing of Banza, however, does not appear to be PAOK’s final move. With the transfer window entering its final stretch, the Thessaloniki club is seriously considering signing yet another player, this time to bolster the defensive flanks.
Discussions among those “run" the transfer planning and Alessio Lisi have led to the decision to seek out a fullback in order to increase options on the defensive line and add more depth to the roster.
The latest addition to the defense was Diego Costa, who immediately became a key part of the starting lineup—a fact that confirms the need for reinforcements in that position.
In the center of the defense, Giannis Michailidis remains a consistent choice, while Aritz Elustondo, Pantelis Hatzidiakos, and Dimitris Bataoulas are also options for Alesio Lisi.
*photo source: KYPE
