Bajevic is to continue with Aris

Olympiakos believed to be close to reaching deal with Espanyol coach Ernesto Valverde

Aris coach Dusan Bajevic said, ‘I did not go looking for an offer,’ adding, ‘I believe in this team and want to complete my work here.’

Aris coach Dusan Bajevic will remain at the club, according to a statement he released yesterday.

Bajevic held talks earlier this week with Panathinaikos owner Yiannis Vardinoyiannis, which angered Aris Chairman Lambros Skordas.

In his bid to set the record straight, the Serb coach said he has no intention of leaving Thessaloniki.

“I have a contract with my club and I respect it,” Bajevic said in a statement. “All this time at Aris, I have been doing my work as best I could and this is what I aim to continue to do because I believe in this team and want to complete my work here,” he continued.

Bajevic, who admitted to talking with the Panathinaikos boss, noted, “It should be clear that I did not go looking for an offer, but when Panathinaikos approached me I thought it was correct to speak to Mr Vardinoyiannis and explain my situation to him.”

According to Spanish media, Greek league-and-cup champions Olympiakos, also looking for a coach, are close to signing Ernesto Valverde of Espanyol. He has reportedly been offered a 1.5-million-euro annual salary. The 44-year-old Spaniard is believed to have contacted compatriot Jose Segura, interim coach at Olympiakos late in the season.

Should Valverde not opt to move to Olympiakos, it is believed the club will continue looking in the Spanish market. Mallorca coach Gregorio Manzano and Marcelino Garcia Toral, who just days ago announced his departure from Santander, have been mentioned.

Also, Olympiakos continued its summer clear-out by parting ways with striker Michalis Constantinou. The 30-year-old Cypriot, who spent three years at Olympiakos, hardly figured this season, playing 15 games and scoring one goal.