Panathinaikos stalls negotiations for Rick van Drongelen

As of June 23, 2026, Panathinaikos has stalled negotiations for the transfer of Samsunspor central defender Rick van Drongelen. Despite a reported offer of 5 million euros, the club has been unable to reach an agreement with Samsunspor president Yuksel Yildirim. Panathinaikos is now exploring other defensive targets, including Inter Milan player Stefan de Vrij, as the prospect of an all-Dutch defensive pairing seems unlikely. While the club maintains the possibility of revisiting the deal, they are no longer willing to wait for the Turkish side to respond. The team has officially activated contact with other players on their recruitment list. This development marks a shift in strategy as the Greek club seeks to strengthen its defensive lineup.