NEWCASTLE UNITED are interested in signing Benfica goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos, according to reports.
The 26-year-old’s performances have seen him compared to two of the Portuguese giants’ former No1s in Ederson and Jan Oblak.
Vlachodimos could be set for a summer switch to Newcastle
And his impressive form has seen the 6ft 2in stopper linked with Premier League Newcastle.
According to A Bola, however, Benfica will demand that the Toon pay the Greek’s £53million release clause in full if they are to prise away the six-cap international.
Vlachodimos joined the Estadio Dragao side from Panathinaikos back in 2018, and is contracted there until 2024.
And prior to football’s Covid-19-enforced suspension, he had kept a remarkable 14 clean sheets in 24 Liga NOS appearances this term.
The former German youth international, who switched his allegiances in 2018, has made 85 appearances in total for Benfica.
His mammoth £53m asking price would put off most clubs in this summer’s market amid the financial uncertainty brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.
But Newcastle could be about to become the Premier League’s richest club ever.
The Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund are deep in talks with Mike Ashley over buying the St James’ Park club.
And worth £320bn, more than ten times Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour, £53m wouldn’t be too much of a stretch for the incoming Saudis.
It would seem harsh on incumbent No1 Martin Dubravka, however.
The 31-year-old has been a largely impressive performer since arriving from Sparta Prague in 2018, and penned a new contract taking him up to June 2025 back in October.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
