Experienced Netherlands central defender Stefan de Vrij is on the verge of completing an unexpected move to Panathinaikos. The 34-year-old is departing Inter on a free transfer following a successful eight-year spell with the club, with advanced negotiations currently taking place to finalise the remaining details of his switch to Athens.
Dejan Lovren has launched a blistering attack on the "disgusting" treatment of Mohamed Salah during his final season at Anfield, aiming particular fire at Jamie Carragher. The former Reds defender claimed that media pundits have unfairly scapegoated the Egyptian king while lacking the courage to air their grievances in person.
The agent of former Inter and Porto striker Mehdi Taremi, who is currently leading the line for Greek giants Olympiakos, has moved to dismiss reports that his client is considering returning to his homeland amid conflict with Israel and the United States. It had been claimed the Iranian was considering quitting the game in order to help his country amid the disastrous developments.
Former Liverpool and Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez is teetering on the edge of unemployment once again as reports in Greece suggest Panathinaikos are ready to pull the trigger. The 65-year-old Spaniard, who arrived in Athens with much fanfare back in October, has seen his tenure turn sour after only a few months at the helm. Despite signing a lucrative two-and-a-half-year contract with a salary of approximately £3.5 million, the expected revolution has failed to materialise.
Manchester United have reportedly launched a €28 million (£25m) bid for Olympiacos youngster Christos Mouzakitis. The offer, however, has been deemed far below Olympiacos’ expectations, opening the door for rivals Real Madrid, Arsenal and Brighton to potentially force their way ahead.