Premier League heavyweights Manchester United are reportedly keen on signing 28-year-old Greek goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos from Benfica.
According to reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Odysseas Vlachodimos is the subject of interest from Manchester United over a possible late move in the ongoing transfer window. The 28-year-old Benfica shot-stopper is one of four names on the Red Devils’ wishlist of goalkeeping targets this summer.
Odysseas Vlachodimos is a Greek-origin goalkeeper who spent all his formative years in Germany. The 28-year-old Greek international, born in Stuttgart, started at VfL Wangen before graduating from the VfB Stuttgart academy nearly a decade ago. But Vlachodimos earned his stripes in Greece after joining Panathinaikos half a dozen years back.
Vlachodimos’s stock has risen further since joining Benfica in July 2018, with the 28-year-old turning out over 150 times for the Portuguese giants. Vlachodimos’s progress has not gone unnoticed either, with some of the most high-profile clubs in Europe, including Manchester United, setting their sights on him.
Manchester United allowed a disgruntled Dean Henderson to join Nottingham Forest on loan for the 2022/23 season. The English international has since made some explosive comments about his situation at Old Trafford but might still have a long and bright future at Manchester United. However, the Red Devils need a goalkeeper to compete with David de Gea this season.
Erik ten Hag does not have a prominent role for Tom Heaton in his plans for the 2022/23 season, thus compelling Manchester United to enter the market for a goalkeeper. And Vlachodimos has thus emerged as a viable target for the Red Devils, who have him on a shortlist of targets along with three other shot-stoppers.
Yann Sommer is one of the most heavily linked goalkeepers on Manchester United’s radar, with the Red Devils also setting their sights on Tim Krul in the last few days. But while Sommer and Krul will be short-term options for ten Hag, Vlachodimos will arrive at Old Trafford at the peak of his powers.
It is unclear what ten Hag’s plans are for Henderson, and the 28-year-old might hinder the English international’s prospects at Manchester United. Meanwhile, Manchester United will have to fend off stiff competition from Ajax in the race to sign Vlachodimos from Benfica. The Red Devils also have Asmir Begovic on their radar, and it will be interesting to see which goalkeeper arrives at Old Trafford this summer.
