sportskeeda
The GREEK talent Charalampos Kostoulas is set to finalize a record-breaking transfer to the Premier League following just one season at the senior level.
No one in Greece is shocked by this development, which SunSport revealed was underway last month.
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SunSport reports that Brighton is on the brink of finalizing the acquisition of Kostoulas, 18, on Wednesday after agreeing to an astounding £34 million deal with Olympiacos.
The young talent will undergo a medical examination prior to signing a lucrative contract that could extend for four years, with an optional additional year, valued at £1.3 million per season, plus bonuses.
This landmark accomplishment makes Babis—short for his first name—the most costly Greek transfer in history, eclipsing Kostas Manolas’ £30 million move from Roma to Napoli in 2019.
The Greece Under-21 international emerged dramatically in his homeland nearly two years ago, progressing through the youth system at Olympiacos.
The forward, adept at playing both wings, behind the striker, or at the front, displayed an impressive knack for scoring, remarkable speed, and exceptional technique since the age of 16.
Babis quickly drew parallels to Argentine great Gabriel Batistuta, earning him the nickname “Babistuta” among those who witnessed his prowess.
The versatile striker confirmed the hype last season with Olympiacos’ Under-19 team, leading them to UEFA Youth League victory with five goals and two assists in nine appearances.
Kostoulas and his teammates made history as the first Greek squad to win a European trophy, just before Olympiacos’ senior team secured the Europa Conference League.
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The wonderkid’s remarkable debut comes as no surprise, having been mentored by his father, a seasoned winner of trophies who competed in the Champions League with the Greek giants.
Thanassis Kostoulas joined Olympiacos in 1999, enjoying eight illustrious years that saw him capture seven league titles and two Greek Cups.
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The former centre-back made 202 appearances, 15 of which were in the Champions League against teams like Manchester United, Juventus, and Real Madrid.
Thanassis watched his son follow in his footsteps this season as he quickly became a pivotal player in manager Jose Luis Mendilibar’s primary team.
Babis scored his first league goal in November during the derby against PAOK amidst the electrifying atmosphere of Toumba Stadium.
That night, he became Olympiacos’ youngest-ever league goalscorer at the age of 17 years, five months, and 11 days.
A string of outstanding performances in the Europa League followed, where he played a crucial role in Olympiacos’ journey to the Last 16, finishing in the top eight of the league phase.
Many believe Mendilibar’s team could have advanced further had their wonderkid not sustained an injury.
Attracting Premier League interest
Kostoulas emerged as a standout figure in Greece, helping his team achieve the Double during their 100-year anniversary with seven goals and two assists in 35 outings before suffering a muscle injury at the season’s end.
SunSport reported that his impressive performances drew the attention of Premier League clubs, including Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Aston Villa, Newcastle, and Brighton.
The Premier League giants faced tough competition from other elite clubs such as Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, and AC Milan.
Nonetheless, it was the Seagulls who ultimately sealed the player’s signature, who began the season with a release clause worth only £423,000 on Transfermarkt.
Sources indicate that Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler made Kostoulas his top “personal choice” as the club continues to scout the globe for the brightest talents following the likes of Yves Bissouma, Moises Caicedo, and Kaoru Mitoma.
This move follows Brighton’s acquisition of Babis’ 19-year-old compatriot Stefanos Tzimas from Nurnberg in a £20.8 million deal.
Olympiacos could have made more
While Olympiacos could have waited to sell their brightest prospect in eight years, they opted to take a similar route to that of their last notable talent.
Panos Retsos emerged in the 2016-17 season right after his promotion from the youth ranks, much like Kostoulas.
Retsos performed impressively enough to be made captain at just 18, becoming the youngest-ever captain of the club.
Olympiacos chose to sell Retsos while his value was high, letting him go to Bayer Leverkusen for a record £14.8 million at that time.
Evangelos Marinakis’ club could have secured an even higher price for Kostoulas had they delayed his sale.
If he had remained, Kostoulas would have participated in the Champions League and possibly made it to the World Cup with Greece, where he has yet to earn his first senior call-up.
Hefty sell-on clause
The Greek champions are taking a gamble with this move but show prudence by including a sell-on clause that could reach up to 12%.
This strategy could prove wise, as the attacker has the potential to mirror the success of other Brighton prospects who transitioned from obscurity to global stardom and massive transfers.
His football ability is clear, yet many are unaware of his character.
Kostoulas embodies a unique mix of confidence and humility.
This duality is reflected in his interviews, showcasing a composure and eloquence seldom seen in young footballers—nothing like Chelsea superstar Cole Palmer.
Olympiacos didn’t have long to enjoy Kostoulas, but even a year was enough for fans to recognize his significant impact—much like Yaya Toure, who departed just a year after joining in 2005 and went on to achieve greatness.
Brighton has struck gold in discovering another exceptional talent, but they will need to demonstrate their characteristic patience and support to help him reach his full potential.
This is a player who has been steadily improving, showing no signs of slowing down since his academy days, convincing all that a move to an elite club was simply a matter of time.
