Podence wants to return, Al Shabab hold the cards
Daniel Podence wants to come back. The former Olympiacos winger made it clear after the season: "Next season you will get what you deserve. Thank you all for your support throughout the season. I hope to see you again soon" (2). But his contract with Al Shabab is the problem. The Saudi club are not letting go easily, and Podence's wages are high (2). Mendilibar knows the player well. The desire is there, the deal is not.
Jota Silva close to joining
Olympiacos are closing in on Jota Silva from Nottingham Forest. The Portuguese winger is the target for the wide areas, and talks are advancing (1). Silva would arrive on loan with an option to buy, giving Mendilibar another attacking option for the new season (1).
Fan reactions
Smajlović is the name fans are talking about. The 22-year-old Swedish centre-back arrived from Sandefjord for around 6.5 million euros, and supporters on Reddit are seeing it as a serious investment in the back line. The mix of youth signings and returning figures like Lončar has some fans cautiously weighing what the squad looks like heading into the new campaign. Read the full thread here.
