As reported by the Manchester Evening News, Manchester United is showing interest in Benfica goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos, as the Red Devils may join the market to replace David de Gea.
The 28-year-old has reportedly been targeted by United as a potential long-term replacement for De Gea as United’s No.1 choice at the back line. Vlachodimos is one goalkeeper United should be considering in Portugal right now, but he’s not the only one. Diogo Costa of FC Porto would be a fantastic addition, as he is younger than Vlachodimos.
United is rumored to be searching for a new goalkeeper to take De Gea’s place when his contract expires in 2023. The Spaniard doesn’t suit Erik ten Hag’s description of a ball-playing goalkeeper, who must be able to play out from the back and willing to leave his line to help the defence counter rapid attacks.
That doesn’t change the fact that he was a top goalkeeper in the past and is still an excellent shot-stopper for United.
Vlachodimos joined Benfica from Panathinaikos in 2018, and since then he has made 185 appearances for the Portuguese powerhouse. So far this season, he has nine clean sheets.
Over the past four years, he has assumed the role of Greece’s top choice in front of the nets while contending for trophies in Portugal and putting up outstanding Champions League performances.
With only 20 months left on his contract, Vlachodimos might be a more traditional type of goalie than some of the other candidates that have been mentioned, but as United continues to reduild under Ten Hag, he might be a low-cost option for the club.
It will be interesting to observe how his deal develops in the upcoming months.
