PAOK coach Razvam Lucescu has expressed his concern about Antonio Colak’s potential £2.5 million move to Scottish Premiership giants Rangers, speaking to Greek publication PAOK 24.
Will he, or ‘will nae’?
That is the question on the lips of everyone situated on the blue side of the Glasgow divide as Rangers’ pursuit of a striker who ruined their Champions League hopes 10 months ago heats up quicker than a storebought pizza left unattended on a pre-warmed grill.
According to Sky Sports, Rangers have agreed personal terms with Colak. The Croatia international was blown away by the iconic Ibrox atmosphere during last August’s clash between Rangers and Malmo; A crowd he stunned into silence with two laser-guided finishes.
PAOK are not making things easy, however. And not just because they want to recoup the £2.5 million they paid Rijeka during the summer of 2020.
Will Rangers get their paws on PAOK’s Antonio Colak?
As Lucescu points out, Colak’s departure would leave PAOK with just one senior centre-forward – the former Nottingham Forest, Swansea City and Norwich man Nelson Oliveira – on the brink of a new Super League season.
“I do not want to say anything about Colak,” says Lucescu before then doing precisely the oppostie.
“I know of an important offer he has from a European team. If he leaves us, we will be left with one striker before the first official game of the season.”
Colak featured as PAOK hammered Dutch outfit Go Ahead Eagles 4-0 in pre-season on Tuesday night. It’s not certain whether to be seen if that will be the 28-year-old’s final appearance for a club where he has struggled for consistency.
Colak’s 22 goals on loan at Malmo in 2021/22 are in stark contrast to how things have panned out for him in Thessaloniki, at his parent club.
Rangers have also been linked with one-time Celtic target Stephen Odey. Sunderland talisman Ross Stewart too, amid ongoing concerns over Alfredo Morelos’ future. Mateo Cassierra, however, is joining Russian champions Zenit St Petersburg for £4 million.
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