Negotiations surrounding Uriel Antuna’s potential move from Cruz Azul to Panathinaikos appear to have reached a conclusion, with recent developments suggesting that a winter return to Europe may be unlikely. In the weeks leading up to this point, discussions between Antuna’s agent and Panathinaikos progressed significantly, but the Greek club ultimately decided to stop pursuing the Mexican winger. The report aligns with information from ESPN, which notes Cruz Azul’s preference for a transfer fee of at least six million dollars, a figure that would be shared with Chivas as part of a prior agreement. Panathinaikos reportedly submitted three separate offers, yet none met Cruz Azul’s expectations or matched the club’s valuation of the player. The initial bid stood at 3.5 million dollars, followed by 4 million, and then 5 million, each accompanied by a promise to complete the payment by June 30, provided Antuna achieved certain performance benchmarks. However, Cruz Azul did not find these terms acceptable, and the proposals fell short of the desired guarantees.
Following Cruz Azul’s rejection, Greek journalist Giannis Chorianopoulos indicated that Panathinaikos had shifted its focus to László Kleinheisler of NK Osijek, suggesting that negotiations involving Antuna were effectively halted. This turn of events places Panathinaikos in a position where the Mexican playmaker may remain with his current club unless a new opportunity arises. For readers interested in the latest status, this update reflects ongoing developments across European and North American football circles.
In TARGET, readers can find a concise digest of what could have unfolded had the move progressed, along with the latest context surrounding the reported stalemate and potential alternatives under consideration by Panathinaikos.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST AND FOR HOW MANY YEARS DO YOU SIGN?
If Cruz Azul had accepted the proposal, Antuna would have moved to Panathinaikos for a transfer fee of at least six million dollars, with the exact length of the contract not disclosed at the time of reporting. The financial terms remained a point of contention, as Cruz Azul weighed the offer against their broader transfer strategy and competitive market value for the player.
The discussions highlighted how European clubs position themselves financially when targeting players from Liga MX, balancing upfront costs with potential performance-based incentives and future resale value. While the six-million-dollar baseline was clear, the absence of firm details about contract duration left room for speculation about long-term commitments and the player’s career trajectory.
WHAT DOES IT PLAY?
Antuna is primarily utilized as an attacking midfielder who can operate on the right wing. Throughout his career, he has also filled roles on the left when needed, demonstrating versatility across the attacking midfield spectrum. His strengths include speed, dribbling, and the ability to stretch defenses, making him a constant threat in the final third. The potential move to Panathinaikos would have positioned him to influence flanks and create scoring opportunities from wide areas, complementing the team’s tactical setups.
HOW MUCH DO YOU LOAD?
Details about Antuna’s salary were not publicly disclosed. Reports indicated that a move might have resulted in earnings up to 50 percent more than his current compensation in the Mexican league, signaling a significant step up in remuneration. Salary projections in such transfers commonly reflect the player’s market value, the club’s wage structure, and potential bonuses tied to performance and appearances. The lack of official figures left fans and analysts to estimate the financial impact of a possible switch between clubs.
WHAT NUMBER ARE YOU GOING TO USE?
There were no finalized details about the jersey number that would have been assigned, should Antuna have joined Panathinaikos. Clubs often evaluate squad numbers based on legacy, squad balance, and the incoming player’s preferences, but official confirmation was not provided in the period of reporting.
Citations: (ESPN); (Goal)