AEK Athens are preparing to complete the return of Portuguese midfielder João Mário as the Greek club finalize their updated European squad list.
The move for the Portuguese midfielder was essentially agreed following the end of last season's domestic league campaign, with the player actively pushing to leave Turkish club Beşiktaş to pave the way for his AEK comeback.
Reporting on the show The Football Show by Stoiximan on protothema.gr, journalist Kostas Ketsetzoglou outlined the latest developments surrounding AEK's squad assembly ahead of upcoming European commitments.
Ketsetzoglou estimated that it is very likely João Mário will be included in AEK's new European registration list. The midfielder was omitted from the club's European squad roster during the previous season.
European squad list reshuffle
Alongside João Mário, player Milan Vitalis is also expected to be added to AEK's updated European roster. Conversely, the departure of Swiss winger Derek Kutesa from the squad list is now considered a certainty.
Decision-makers at AEK face remaining uncertainties over which other players will be left out of the European squad. Ketsetzoglou noted that defender Georgiev can hardly be removed because he is capable of covering two distinct positions on the pitch.
Serbian midfielder Mijat Gacinovic is similarly valued for providing tactical options across more than one role. Meanwhile, defender Babis Lykogiannis is expected to take the slot previously occupied by Dimitris Kaloskamis on the European list, though unexpected surprises in the final choices cannot be ruled out.
Derek Kutesa transfer negotiations
In addition to squad list updates, AEK are closing in on the sale of Derek Kutesa, who attracted strong interest from Swiss club Servette FC as well as several other teams.
AEK initially set high financial demands for the Swiss international winger, but the club became more conciliatory in negotiations in recent days. A framework agreement has now been reached, and while the transfer is not yet finalized, Kutesa could sign for Servette by tonight.
