Transfer Saga Takes a New Twist
Olympiacos have reportedly withdrawn from negotiations for Dimitris Giannoulis, leaving PAOK as the frontrunner to bring the Greece international back to the Super League. The 30-year-old left-back, currently under contract with Bundesliga side FC Augsburg, had been high on the Piraeus club wishlist as they looked to strengthen their defensive options.
Why Olympiacos Pulled Out
According to reports from SPORT24, Olympiacos had submitted an offer to Augsburg and were close to reaching an agreement with the German club. However, Giannoulis requested additional time to consider his options, a delay the Erythrolefki were not prepared to accommodate. With alternative targets already identified, the club decided to pivot away from the deal rather than wait indefinitely for a decision.
PAOK Move Decisively
PAOK have seized the opportunity and are now pushing hard to reunite Giannoulis with the club where he made his name. The Thessaloniki side have tabled a bid worth three million euros, with an additional one million in performance-related bonuses. This represents a significant investment for the Dikefalos tou Vorra, underscoring their determination to bring the full-back back to Toumba Stadium.
Giannoulis Journey
Giannoulis originally emerged from the PAOK academy before establishing himself as one of the finest left-backs in Greek football. His performances earned him a move to Norwich City in 2021, where he competed in the Premier League and Championship before Augsburg signed him in 2024. This past season in Germany, Giannoulis made 29 appearances across all competitions, scoring two goals and providing five assists, demonstrating that his attacking output remains reliable even at the Bundesliga level.
For PAOK, securing Giannoulis would represent a statement of intent. The club has been active in the summer market and bringing back a homegrown talent of his calibre would strengthen both their squad and their connection with the fanbase. Augsburg, having invested in Giannoulis just two years ago, will be keen to recoup a reasonable fee as they too reshape their squad for the new campaign.
