Greek international guard Thomas Walkup has unilaterally terminated his contract with Olympiacos BC, launching an open dispute with the Piraeus basketball club as Middle Eastern side Dubai BC prepares an increased transfer offer.
The contract termination has established a clear breach between Walkup and Olympiacos, with both parties expressing complete confidence in their legal standing should the argument proceed to court.
Dubai BC raised its transfer proposal for the 33-year-old point guard to 1.5 million euros, increasing its previous offer of one million euros that Olympiacos turned down. Management in Piraeus plans to reject the 1.5 million euro bid as well, maintaining an asking price of three million euros for the player.
Olympiacos executives remain furious with Walkup over ending an agreement signed through 2027. While demanding three million euros, accepting Dubai's 1.5 million euro bid alongside saving 1.1 million euros from Walkup's contract for next season would net the Piraeus club 2.6 million euros. Walkup, a Texan-born playmaker who naturalized as a Greek citizen after joining Olympiacos in 2021, turns 34 in December.
Insiders close to the situation claimed that court proceedings between the two sides would bring numerous facts to light, describing potential revelations as ranging from amusing to painful.
Olympiacos competes in the EuroLeague and Greek Basketball League from their home venue in Piraeus, while Dubai BC recently joined European competition following its establishment in the United Arab Emirates.
Dubai link extends to football squad
The operational ties between Dubai and Olympiacos also touch the Greek club's football team, where Iranian international striker Mehdi Taremi holds an offer from an Emirati club.
Taremi wants to depart Piraeus, while reports in France indicate Ligue 1 club Lille has also shown interest in signing the forward. Olympiacos management is waiting for official bids and has no intention of releasing Taremi on a free transfer, despite having no complaints regarding his performance.
Taremi, an experienced forward who joined Olympiacos following prominent spells at Porto and Inter Milan, is expected to see his future resolved in the coming days as Olympiacos shapes its squad roster for the upcoming season.
Bryan Gil target gains backing
Olympiacos is also pursuing Spanish winger Bryan Gil from La Liga side Girona to reinforce its attacking options for the new campaign.
While the 25-year-old winger has not generated broad excitement among club executives, manager José Luis Mendilibar remains firmly committed to signing him. Mendilibar sought to acquire Gil during the previous two seasons, and his persistence is supported by club owner Evangelos Marinakis, who gave the Spanish coach a vote of confidence by retaining him on the bench.
Gil, a Spanish international winger who previously played for Tottenham Hotspur, Sevilla, and Valencia, represents a long-standing target for Mendilibar. Mendilibar took over at Olympiacos in 2024, leading the Piraeus club to European silverware under the ownership of Marinakis, who also owns English Premier League side Nottingham Forest.
PAOK resignations dismissed
In Thessaloniki, rumors have emerged surrounding PAOK FC following the transfer of midfielder Giannis Konstantelias, alleging that technical director Vieirinha and athletic director Léo Matos were considering resigning from their roles.
Neither official has communicated any such intention to the club management. Reports indicate it is highly unlikely that either director would inform PAOK owner Ivan Savvidis that they lack trust in his new sporting project or wish to leave.
Vieirinha, a former Portuguese international winger, and Matos, a former Brazilian defender, both served as senior players at the Thessaloniki club before stepping into administrative leadership. PAOK, which plays in Super League Greece at Toumba Stadium under the ownership of Savvidis, continues to navigate roster adjustments following the departure of Konstantelias.
