Wieczysta weighed up Joselu before landing Koulouris

Wieczysta Kraków's summer business could have taken an even more eye-catching turn. After securing Efthymios Koulouris on a three-year deal, reports in Poland say the promoted Ekstraklasa side had also held advanced talks with Joselu, the Spain international who was part of the country's Euro 2024-winning squad.

Ambition clear in Wieczysta's striker search

Wieczysta have started the new Ekstraklasa season with three points from three matches, and there have already been signs of attacking promise. Kazimierz Moskal's side impressed against Piast Gliwice, racing into a 4-0 lead thanks to a Tobias Christensen hat-trick and a goal from Miki Villar.

That backdrop helps explain the scale of the club's move for Koulouris, a former Ekstraklasa top scorer. The Greek forward has signed a 2+1 contract, in what stands as one of the most notable arrivals involving a newly promoted side.

Joselu talks reached an advanced stage

According to TVP Sport, Wieczysta were not focused solely on Koulouris. The club also negotiated with Joselu, the 36-year-old striker who played for Real Madrid in the 2023/24 season and later won the European Championship with Spain in 2024.

Joselu's recent profile underlines why the possibility drew attention. During his Real Madrid spell, he scored 19 goals and supplied three assists in 51 matches. He also made a major impact in the Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich, scoring twice in a 2-1 win. He then travelled to the Euros with Spain and featured in two matches as the team lifted the trophy.

Most recently, Joselu had been with Al-Gharafa in Qatar and had been without a club since the start of July. TVP Sport reported that Wieczysta's discussions with the striker were advanced, with the club able to meet his demands and several contract details already agreed.

Why Koulouris became the priority

The same report says Wieczysta moved away from the Joselu option once the chance to sign Koulouris became realistic. Two factors appear to have been central: age and league familiarity.

Koulouris is six years younger than Joselu and already has a strong track record in the Ekstraklasa. That made him a more natural fit for a club trying to establish itself quickly at the top level. The report also states that Koulouris received a higher contract than the one offered to Joselu.

Wieczysta's success in landing the Greek striker was not straightforward. The club reportedly beat four other Ekstraklasa teams to his signature:

• Korona Kielce
• Pogoń Szczecin
• Widzew Łódź
• Jagiellonia Białystok

What comes next for Wieczysta

Koulouris spent last season with Saudi second-tier side Al-Ula, scoring 23 goals and adding four assists in 36 appearances. Al-Ula pushed for promotion but lost 1-2 to Al Diriyah in the play-off final.

His arrival gives Wieczysta a forward with recent scoring form and previous success in Polish football. The most likely date for his debut is now said to be the Kraków derby against Wisła on 29 August at 17:30, with a registration before the upcoming Cracovia-Wieczysta derby considered unlikely.

Whether the club's supporters dwell on the Joselu near-miss may depend on how quickly Koulouris settles. What is already beyond doubt is the level of ambition: Wieczysta explored a deal for a reigning European champion, then completed the signing of one of the Ekstraklasa's most proven strikers.