Monday, June 28, 2021 at 13:08• Yanick Vos

Willem II attacker Vangelis Pavlidis is well on his way to AZ, reports The Telegraph. According to the newspaper, the Greek striker has a price tag of two and a half million euros hanging around his neck. The 22-year-old attacker has indicated to the Tilburg club management that he would like to take a step higher in the Netherlands. After Sam Beukema, Pavlidis should be the second summer purchase for AZ.

The newspaper reported Monday afternoon based on sources around Willem II that Pavlidis is close to a transition to AZ. The client of agent Mino Raiola is under contract in Tilburg until the summer of 2022, which means that technical director Joris Mathijsen has to sell him this transfer period to prevent him from leaving transfer-free next year.

Pavlidis was in the spotlight last season with 14 goals in 37 games. On the last match day, he ensured that Willem II maintained his position in the Eredivisie with a wonderful goal. After the duel with Fortuna Sittard, the now departed trainer Zeljko Petrovic already said that the Greek was on his way to the exit. “I’m not going to tell you where he’s going. At least he’s going to the top,” he told ESPN, which mentioned a transfer fee of three million euros. Transfermarkt currently estimates the value of the Greek attacker at two and a half million euros.

The wash in the attack line was thin at AZ after the winter break, as Ferdy Druijf was rented out to KV Mechelen and Thijs Oosting was housed at RKC Waalwijk. Myron Boadu was therefore the only striker in the Alkmaar team, but was not always assured of a base place towards the end of the season. In addition to AZ’s interest, The Telegraph rather that VfL Bochum is also interested in the services of Pavlidis. Bochum secured the championship on the last day of the 2. Bundesliga and will return to the highest level in Germany next season.

Pavlidis, who was also linked with Feyenoord, previously played for Bochum and the second team of Borussia Dortmund, before Willem II brought him to the Netherlands in January 2019. The fourteen-time international of the Greek national team was initially brought in on a rental basis, after which Willem II definitively took over from Bochum six months later. For the time being, the counter of the striker stands at 33 goals and 14 assists in 82 official games for Willem II.