Panathinaikos aim to retain Fotis Ioannidis, a target for Southampton and Leicester, until their Europa League fate is determined, sources have told Football Insider.
On Monday (12 August), Football Insider revealed that both clubs are vying to sign the 24-year-old striker, with the Foxes having submitted a £23 million offer.
Panathinaikos are currently involved in European qualifiers and could advance to the league phase of the Europa League through the play-off round.
However, they trail 1-0 on aggregate heading into the third qualifying round’s second-leg clash with Ajax in Amsterdam on Thursday (15 August).
In a new twist, it is believed that Panathinaikos may retain Ioannidis until their European fate is sealed, potentially facing a Uefa Conference League play-off if they lose to Ajax this week.
Sources indicate that the offer for Ioannidis is substantial, and he is expected to leave before the 30 August deadline, regardless of Panathinaikos’ Europa League qualification.
Ioannidis made his first appearance of the 2024-25 campaign off the bench in the 1-0 home loss to Ajax.
He had a standout season in 2023-24, scoring 23 goals and providing nine assists in 44 games across all competitions, and winning the Greek Cup.
Earlier this summer, Ipswich Town reportedly made a bid for the Greece international, while Lazio and Sporting CP are also interested in the striker.
Ioannidis is under contract with Panathinaikos until June 2027.
