A bid of just £8.5 million may be enough for Manchester United to bring Benfica goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos to the Premier League this month.
That is according to Portuguese publication O Jogo; the German-born Greece international potentially leaving the Primeira Liga champions under a cloud after falling out of favour under Roger Schmidt.
Benfica boss Roger Schmidt has never been one to pull punches, and Odysseas Vlachodimos felt the full force of his coach’s fist after an error-prone display against Boavista recently. The one-time Newcastle target was then left out of the squad for Saturday’s victory over Estoril.
Now, depending on your perspective – whether you are a glass half full sort of person or a glass half empty – Vlachodimos’ potential availability is either an opportunity for Manchester United, or a warning to stay clear.
O Jogo believe that Benfica may accept offers of £8.5 million. That means Vlachodimos should be available for around half the fee Feyenoord would demand for Justin Bijlow, for example.
Manchester United eye Odysseas Vlachodimos
On the other hand, there is a reason why Benfica appear so content with cashing in on a goalkeeper who was valued at around £30 million as recently as 18 months ago. And it’s not as if there is a contractual situation to consider either. Vlachodimos’ current deal runs until the summer of 2027 at the Estadio da Luz.
The simple fact remains that – if Vlachodimos’ performances had been rather better over recent times – Manchester United would get nowhere near him with offers below the £10 million mark (Fabrizio Romano). What’s more, there are serious concerns over whether Vlachodimos really possesses the passing range and the technical ability to thrive in Ten Hag’s system.
Then again, few players are immune to the odd poor run of form. Vlachodimos, as recently as April 2022, was being hailed by Jurgen Klopp after a superb Champions League performance against Liverpool. If he can rediscover his golden touch, that £8.5 million fee could be a bargain.
Ten Hag wants another goalkeeper
Fenerbahce’s Altay Bayindir is another option; reports from Turkey suggesting that United submitted a £6 million bid on Tuesday. Bayindir would also arrive at Old Trafford looking to prove the doubters wrong. The Turkish international was also criticised by his own head coach after a high-profile mistake this month.