Of all the players Roma sent on loan this past season, few were better than Ezequiel Ponce, who scored 21 goals for AEK Athens. This week will be a decisive one for the future of the youngster. Why? Because according to Il Tempo, the Greek club’s option to buy the player expires on 16 June.
The Giallorossi have no intention of giving AEK a discount after they paid almost half of the player’s wages this season (his total is €1.2 million). There are two purchase scenarios for the Greek side to redeem the player: the first is pay €6 million (payable in four equal installments) with Roma granted 30% of the future sale fee, or pay €7 million with Roma granted 15% of the future sale fee.
AEK Athens are experiencing tremendous economic difficulties and it seems unlikely they will make such an important investment on Ponce given the fee plus his wages. Further complicating the operation is that Ponce’s contract with Roma expires in June 2020, so the Giallorossi must sell him this summer or risk losing him for free.
In the coming days, the attacker’s father-agent is expected to land in Athens after many clubs have their eyes on Ponce to find a solution.
