Vangelis Pavlidis

AZ fans can only be relieved that their prolific Greek front-man did not, as widely expected, head for the exit door this summer. Pavlidis, who in his two years in Alkmaar has amassed 50 goals in all competitions, was heavily linked with Milan, Borussia Monchengladbachof the Bundesliga and leadingSpanish outfits Villarreal and Sevilla. But apparently no one was prepared to meet AZ’s asking price of €12m-€15m, a not unreasonable figure for someone with his eye for goal and a good track record asa provider of assists. Came through the youth ranksof Bochum in Germany.