PAOK are seeking to strengthen their defence and have targeted Hjalmar Ekdal after a previous deal for Drkušić failed. The Greek club has made an offer for the Sweden international, who has 13 caps for his country, and is negotiating personal terms with the centre-back. Ekdal's current club, Burnley, which he joined in January 2023, was relegated from the Premier League last season, and the 27-year-old's contract with the English side is valid until the summer of 2027. It is reported that PAOK is working to complete the transfer before the window closes, although it is not certain if an agreement will be reached. His market value, according to Transfermarkt, is €5.00m.