In a dramatic twist to what was expected to be a record-breaking transfer, Gambian midfielder Abdoulie Manneh has firmly denied reports claiming his highly anticipated move from Swedish side Mjällby AIF to Greek giants Olympiacos FC collapsed due to a failed medical.
The 23-year-old, who was set to make a €3.7 million switch (rising to €4.5 million with bonuses), has provided his side of the story exclusively to Footy-Africa, shedding light on the complications that led to a temporary halt in proceedings — none of which, according to him, involved medical concerns.
Medical passed, contract issues emerge
“I arrived in Athens around 13:00, and I went straight to the hospital to do my medical,” Manneh said. “After the medical, I went to the clubhouse around 20:00.”
Manneh confirmed that he successfully completed his medical examination and was fit to finalise the transfer.
Manneh passes medical before record-breaking move to Olympiacos FC
However, the situation became tense when it came time to review and sign the contract — something he says he was not prepared to do on the same day due to fatigue and legal oversight.
“I told the agent I was so tired — I hadn’t rested — and came straight to Greece. I couldn’t review and sign the contract today,” he explained. “The agreement was for me to conduct the medical and return. I needed to go back to Sweden, so my lawyer could review the document.”
Pressure from club officials
Despite expressing his willingness to join Olympiacos, Manneh stated that he was placed under significant pressure by the club hierarchy to sign immediately.
“They took me to the club president. Almost all the senior members were there. They tried to convince me, but I stood by my decision to return first,” he said.
According to Manneh, Mjällby AIF was even contacted by intermediaries to delay his return, so the club could continue negotiations, but he maintained his stance on needing time and legal clarity.
Alleged travel interference and contract disputes
After a long day, Manneh retired to his hotel only to face further complications the next morning.
“I woke up around 5 AM going to the airport and received a message from the intermediary sending me a flight ticket. I did my first check-in, but during the final check-in, it was detected that my ticket was cancelled,” he revealed.
Forced to buy a new ticket himself to return to Sweden, Manneh says he was urged again by the same intermediary to return to the hotel and continue talks.
“I told him I had already bought my ticket, and I was leaving,” he stated.
Further adding to the impasse were disagreements over salary structure and player benefits. Manneh claims the contract proposed that he be paid quarterly, with no bonuses — a deal he flatly rejected.
“In the contract, they want to pay my salary every three months without any bonuses. I told them I won’t do that. Even the sign-on fee — what the agents get, I’m not getting that as the player,” he added.
Manneh’s Transfer to Olympiacos Falls Through Amid Conflicting Reports
Reputation vs. Reality
Manneh also addressed the club’s concern about how the situation would be perceived publicly, saying Olympiacos feared embarrassment if he left without signing.
“They started saying if I leave without signing, what would people say about a big club like them. I told them I have to go back and look at it critically,” Manneh recalled.
Next steps unclear
As of now, the transfer remains in limbo. While the player insists he is still open to joining Olympiacos under fair and transparent conditions, the situation highlights growing tensions in modern football between player rights, agent influence, and club expectations.
With the Swedish season still ongoing, it remains to be seen whether Olympiacos will revisit the deal with renewed terms or if Manneh will consider alternative options as interest in the midfielder continues to grow across Europe.
Mjällby AIF response
The Sporting Director of Mjällby AIF, Hans Larsson, strongly denied claims that Abdoulie Manneh had medical issues that affected the finalization of the deal.
“This is ridiculous; Manneh is 100% fit. Olympiacos attempted to interfere with his private contract,” he stated, talking exclusively to Footy-Africa.
When asked if the deal could be reviewed and continued, Mr. Larsson responded: “Never with that club.”
Footy-Africa have contacted Olympiacos for their official reaction to the story, but they were not eager to comment at the time of publication.
