Newcastle United are prepared to snap up Benfica goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos – but may be forced to wait until next summer.
That’s according to The Sunday Mirror (05/12, p70), who claim that Newcastle are ready to pay up for Vlachodimos.
The Greek goalkeeper is allegedly valued at a huge £30million, and Newcastle have made ‘official contact’ with Benfica.
Vlachodimos is thought to be keen on a move to the Premier League but Benfica are stalling.
They don’t want to sell Vlachodimos until the summer window, meaning Newcastle may not be able to tie up a January deal.
Vlachodimos is negotiating a pay rise with Benfica, but Newcastle are hoping to get a deal done soon.
Who is Newcastle target Odysseas Vlachodimos?
Vlachodimos, 27, was born in Stuttgart and spent 14 years with his hometown club before leaving for Panathinaikos.
After shining in Greece, Vlachodimos earned his big move to Benfica in 2018 and has been their first-choice stopper ever since.
What’s interesting with Newcastle’s interest is that it seems to have been active for a long time.
Portuguese newspaper Record reported in September 2018 that Newcastle had been scouting Vlachodimos.
That’s under Rafael Benitez’s management, and Newcastle could finally land their man.
After links to other goalkeepers like Dean Henderson and Thomas Strakosha, it looks like Newcastle really do want a new stopper – and Vlachodimos looks to be the favourite now.
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