‘Vlachodimos in Newcastle limbo after Forest PSR move as Howe chases Trafford’
Odysseas Vlachodimos may be fearing for his career following the latest updates around his situation at Newcastle United.
The goalkeeper endured a difficult first season with the Magpies, after making the move to St James’ Park last summer.
Newcastle paid £20million to sign Vlachodimos from Nottingham Forest, just a year after he had arrived at the City Ground.
However, the Greece international has since made just one appearance for Eddie Howe‘s side, when he came off the bench in a League Cup tie against AFC Wimbledon back in October.
It is now also hard to see him adding to that tally for the Magpies, or perhaps anyone else, in the near future.
Odysseas Vlachidomos move motivated by PSR
The signing of the goalkeeper is one that raised eyebrows among many, not least because at the same time, midfielder Elliot Anderson moved in the opposite direction to join Nuno Espirito’s Santo’s side.
That led to suggestions that Newcastle and Nottingham Forest did those deals in order to avoid punishments for breaching PSR, and the fact Vlachodimos has barely featured since then backs that up.
Indeed, according to a new update from The Athletic, the Greek goalkeeper made the move to the Magpies, despite not featuring on any of their scouting reports previously.
But as those in charge at St James’ Park look to support Howe in the transfer window, things show no signs of getting any better for Vlachodimos.
Newcastle United cannot afford to let goalkeeper leave
With the club having qualified for the Champions League for the 2025/26 campaign, there is a need to strengthen the squad available to Howe this summer.
As part of that, Newcastle are pursuing a deal to sign Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford, which would push Vlachodimos further down the pecking order.
It is noted that the 31-year-old is already behind the likes of Nick Pope, Martin Dubravka, and even John Ruddy and Mark Gillespie in the pecking order at St James’ Park.
The addition of someone such as Trafford would only make it even harder for Vlachodimos to get any sort of game time in Howe’s side.
However, Newcastle can also ill afford to sell the Greece international, given the loss they would likely make on the £20million they paid for him would undo the PSR boost they earned with this deal last year.
Consequently, Vlachodimos is set to be stuck on the sidelines at St James’ Park for some time yet. While a loan would give him game time, it would not provide the security and stability of a permanent move.
With all that in mind, the 2025/26 campaign looks as though it will bring more frustration for at least one of the many goalkeepers currently on the books at Newcastle.