Olympiacos Set To Compete With Ligue 1 Side For Craiova Defender Vladimir Screciu

Olympiacos and Brest have sent scouts to assess a potential winter signing in Romanian outfit Universitatea Craiova defender Vladimir Screciu. 

According to an update by TransferFeed, Olympiacos have started scouting several names from Universitatea Craiova. Vladimir Screciu is reportedly heading the Red and Whites' shortlist for the winter transfer window. 

Thrylos' scouts have attended at least one Universitatea Craiova match this season to assess the Romanian side's players in detail, including Screciu. The 26-year-old joined Screciu in July 2020 and has a contract with the club until 2029. Therefore, any move must be cleared with the club before the player's entourage proceeds. 

Screciu has 10 caps with the Romanian National Team, and has consistently rose up the ranks through its youth sides. He began his youth career with CSȘ Corabia before graduating from the academy of Universitatea Craiova. After spending two seasons with Genk and one on loan at Lommel, Screciu returned to his childhood club and signed a long-term contract.

Olympiacos are particularly interested in his profile because of his versatility in defence. While he plays primarily as a centre-back, he can also feature as a defensive or central midfielder. The Greek giants have been searching for another midfielder to pivot behind their central midfield attacking line and to assist the likes of Gustavo Puerta and Remo Freuler. 

Meanwhile, in other news, there could be a controversy imminent inside the Super League Greece as Monterrey's Orbelin Pineda is looking for a return to the country. He departed for Mexico after spending several seasons with AEK Athens. The AEK management cited his transfer as part of his homesickness, a point well supported by his signing for Monterrey. However, the recent news has alerted Olympiacos, and Pineda could be seeing the Piraeus club as a potential option. 

Eternal rivals Panathinaikos remain on the prowl to snatch the Mexican international from Olympiacos' hands, as presently, it seems like Pineda does not have a preference. While he knows the Greek top flight well, his behavior has often created negative sentiment amongst clubs and the press. However, nothing is concrete on this front yet as Olympiacos continue to weigh options before bringing another reinforcement to the side in the winter after a busy summer window. 

We will keep on updating this space for more news regarding Screciu and Pineda. It can be said that Olympiacos have lodged a strong interest in him since they went as far sending scouts to the region.