AIK through in the cup as the Assadi deal nears completion
AIK beat Piteå 3–0 away and are through to the Swedish Cup group stage. Kevin Filling, Wilmer Olofsson and Adrian Helm scored (5).
Olofsson summed it up: "It was a lot about mentality today" (3). A stress-free evening in the north, as one outlet put it (13).
Assadi deal: only details left
Lucas Assadi is coming closer. AIK have agreed terms with Universidad de Chile, with only details remaining (1)(15). It would be the club's most expensive signing ever (1).
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Coach José Riveiro did his part personally. He called Assadi directly to convince him to make the move (12).
Assadi wants out now
Assadi is not interested in waiting. Journalist Cristián Caamaño reports the player wants to leave immediately and does not want to play the Superclásico against Colo Colo on Sunday (16).
"They are really heated with Assadi, the player wants to leave now and does not want to play the Clásico," Caamaño said (16). U de Chile want their money in one lump sum, not instalments (16).
Pizarro questions the move
David Pizarro does not get it. The former Chile international wrote: "Why Sweden, Lucas? Why has our market changed so much" (7).
The story has shifted fast. Fernando Gago had reported Assadi wanted to stay for the Superclásico, but the player now appears to want out before it (11)(16).
Fourth in the league, Hammarby next
AIK sit fourth with 28 points after 17 games, unbeaten in the last three league matches. The derby against Hammarby at home on Sunday, August 30, is the next test.
Fan-reaktioner
Supporters have kept a running tally of transfer rumours and count 35 different players linked to AIK since the winter window closed, of which five were actually signed. The Assadi chase dominates, and the mood is part excitement, part fatigue over the volume of names. The thread mapping all 35 reported targets is here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Allsvenskan/comments/1vtg8nr/h%C3%A4r_%C3%A4r_de_35_spelare_som_aik_rapporterats_vilja
