The summer transfer window does not officially open for weeks, yet Olympiacos are already moving with a clarity that has not always defined this club. That alone deserves attention.
Maffeo arrives, and the right-back question is answered
Kostinia's move to Brighton left a hole that could have festered. Instead, Olympiacos went straight to Mallorca and got their man. Pablo Maffeo, a 28-year-old right-back with over 150 La Liga appearances, arrives for around three million euros (5). This is not a panic buy. Maffeo is a defender who understands positional discipline and can contribute in possession without taking unnecessary risks. For Mendilibar, who demands structure above all else, the fit is natural.
The fee is modest by European standards, and the timing – early June, before rivals can inflate the market – shows a recruitment team that has learned from past summers. Maffeo will not need a season to adapt. He arrives ready.
Tiknizyan and the left-back puzzle
The right side is sorted. The left side is where things get interesting. Nair Tiknizyan of Red Star Belgrade has surfaced as a serious target, with reports from Greece and the Netherlands placing Olympiacos in direct competition with Ajax, Como, and Lens (1) (2) (3).
Tiknizyan is a modern full-back: quick, aggressive in the tackle, and eager to overlap. He fits the Mendilibar template of a winger-conversion who can stretch play vertically. At 27, he is entering his peak years. The question is whether Olympiacos can win a bidding contest that includes Champions League regulars and clubs backed by serious financial muscle.
This is a litmus test for the sporting project. The club has shown it can move fast domestically. Now it must prove it can compete on a broader stage when the target is genuinely in demand.
Mendilibar's fingerprints are everywhere
Look at the names: Maffeo, a defensive-first full-back. Tiknizyan, a high-energy runner. Unai López, though not finalised, remains in the conversation. Adrián Liso, a winger with pace and directness, has been evaluated. This is not a scattergun approach. Mendilibar is building a squad in his own image – compact, intense, and difficult to break down.
The Greek left-back search, referenced in multiple reports, suggests the club is also mindful of squad rules and the balance between domestic and international talent. That attention to detail has not always been present. It is now.
The Mouzakitis subplot
Away from the senior squad, 19-year-old Christos Mouzakitis is attracting interest from Spain. Clubs are circling, and Olympiacos face a decision: integrate the youngster into the first team or risk losing a genuine talent. For a club that has not always maximised its academy pipeline, this is a quiet but meaningful storyline. Mendilibar's willingness to work with young players could tip the balance.
What to watch
The coming week should bring confirmation on Maffeo, potentially a formal announcement. More importantly, the Tiknizyan pursuit will reveal whether Olympiacos can operate at the level they aspire to. If the club can pair Maffeo on the right with a dynamic left-sided counterpart, the full-back positions – a weakness 12 months ago – could become a genuine strength. That is what a coherent summer looks like. Fans should be encouraged, not yet satisfied. The work is underway, but closing matters more than chasing.