Olympiacos choose Titraoui — now the negotiation must bridge the valuation gap | OneFootball

FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J match between Argentina and Algeria at Kansas City Stadium on June 16, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images)

Olympiacos’ midfield search has finally produced something more concrete than a shortlist.

After considering experienced options such as Remo Freuler and Stephen Eustáquio, and exploring younger alternatives including Antonio Blanco, the club have reportedly submitted a formal offer for Yacine Titraoui. SPORT24 reports the opening bid is around €7 million, potentially slightly above that figure.

That changes the status of the story.

Titraoui is no longer simply one player among several being monitored. Olympiacos have identified him strongly enough to commit significant transfer money and begin a direct negotiation with Charleroi.

Why Titraoui fits the midfield need

Olympiacos have been searching for a midfielder capable of operating between the traditional No. 6 and No. 8 roles.

Titraoui’s appeal is that he does not fit neatly into only one of them.

He can receive from the centre-backs, carry possession through pressure and connect the defensive and attacking lines. He also has the energy to press, recover second balls and arrive higher up the pitch. He is seen primarily as a box-to-box midfielder, while noting that he can also operate deeper or in a more advanced role.

That versatility would give José Luis Mendilibar several possible combinations.

Alongside Santiago Hezze, Titraoui could provide greater progression and support attacks without leaving the midfield entirely unprotected. Alongside Christos Mouzakitis, he could supply more physical coverage and ball-winning. In matches where Olympiacos expect to dominate possession, he could also become the midfielder responsible for carrying the ball past the opposition’s first line.

The profile is especially attractive because Titraoui is only 23. Olympiacos would be buying a player capable of contributing immediately while retaining development and resale potential.

Why Charleroi can demand more

The difficulty is that Charleroi are negotiating from a strong position.

Titraoui has already completed his adaptation from Algerian football to Belgium, accumulated 74 appearances for Charleroi and scored seven goals and provided five assists. He was also included in the Belgian league’s best XI, strengthening the club’s ability to justify a valuation close to €10 million.

Previous interest also matters.

Charleroi are reported to have rejected proposals from Hull City and Leeds United, demonstrating that the club do not need to accept the first serious bid. Multiple potential buyers allow them to maintain their valuation and encourage competition.

Olympiacos’ opening offer therefore appears designed to establish serious intent without immediately meeting the maximum demand.

The remaining difference—potentially around €3 million—could be addressed through:

The André Luiz sale creates flexibility

The timing of the bid is unlikely to be accidental.

Olympiacos are expected to receive a substantial guaranteed fee from Sporting Kansas City for André Luiz. That transaction would create both transfer-budget flexibility and space involving non-EU roster management.

Titraoui is an Algeria international and does not hold an EU passport, meaning the departure of another non-EU player can make the squad-registration calculation easier.

The André Luiz income also allows Olympiacos to pursue a midfielder at Titraoui’s price level without necessarily sacrificing spending elsewhere. The club still needs to resolve the goalkeeper position and may require another attacking addition, so maintaining flexibility across several negotiations remains important.

A different strategic choice from Freuler

Choosing to bid for Titraoui does not necessarily mean every alternative has been abandoned, but it does reveal a strategic preference.

Freuler would offer immediate leadership and extensive top-level experience, but little future resale value. Eustáquio would bring Champions League experience and a stable tactical profile but could also require a fee approaching €10 million.

Titraoui offers more uncertainty—but also more upside.

Olympiacos would be trusting their recruitment and coaching structure to help a talented player make another developmental leap. If successful, the club could gain both a starting midfielder and a valuable future asset.

That is a different model from signing an established veteran to solve the position for two seasons.

What remains before a deal

Despite the formal offer, the transfer is not completed.

There is currently no confirmation of:

The next meaningful development will be Charleroi’s response.

A rejection would not necessarily end the operation; opening offers are frequently designed to create the framework for further negotiation. But Olympiacos will need to decide how close they are prepared to move toward the Belgian club’s reported €10 million valuation.

For now, the key conclusion is clear: Olympiacos have selected Titraoui strongly enough to make a major official bid. The scouting phase is over. The price negotiation has begun.