By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
The path is clear for the deal between Marius Grigonis and Panathinaikos to be finalized with CSKA Moscow giving their blessings. The Greek club has a deal with the Russian team to pay a buy-out of 350.000 euros and get Grigonis to Athens.
It’s not as simple as it sounds, since Grigonis still had a contract with CSKA for next year which didn’t include any buyout clause. The Lithuanian player had left Moscow after the start of the war with Ukraine and the Russian club had already taken legal action against him.
However, Panathinaikos traditionally has a good relationship with CSKA and found a compromise in order to get the player and sign him.
Zalgiris Kaunas is the other main suitor of Grigonis despite the rumors about Valencia, but at this point, Panathinaikos has the advantage and Grigonis can take a two-year deal with the Greeks. There’s optimism in Greece that this can happen in the next few hours.