Cardiff City midfielder Manolis Siopis is set to return to Greece with a permanent move to Panathinaikos.
Championship side Cardiff signed the 30-year-old in the summer of 2023, with Siopis effectively buying out his contract at Turkish club Trabzonspor to force a free transfer.
The 36-cap Greece international featured regularly for the Bluebirds under his former Alanyaspor boss Erol Bulut but has been used less frequently by Bulut’s successor at Cardiff, Omer Riza.
There is more competition for places in midfield following Sivert Mannsverk’s arrival on loan from Ajax and Calum Chambers’ successful switch from centre-back.
Alex Robertson is another in front of Siopis in the pecking order, while David Turnbull and Aaron Ramsey will add to Riza’s options when they return from injury.
Cardiff sources have indicated they would need to move players on in order to make further signings before the January transfer window shuts on Monday.
Riza is keen to sign a winger or forward and selling Siopis – one of the Bluebirds’ highest earners – could free up some funds.
