Manchester United are preparing for the potential departure of their youth academy product Dean Henderson, and Fabrizio Romano has named Benfica goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos as a possible replacement.
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Manchester United Exploring Odysseas Vlachodimos Transfer
EXCL: Manchester United now exploring move for Odisseas Vlachodimos who’s expected to leave Benfica 🚨🔴 #MUFC
Vlachodimos, top of Man Utd list as new backup GK in case Dean Henderson joins Crystal Palace or Forest. pic.twitter.com/jIqaYdTFWb
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 20, 2023
Who Is Vlachodimos?
The 29-year-old Greece international has been playing for Portuguese heavyweights Benfica since 2018, featuring quite often in the Champions League for them too.
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He has made 225 appearances for Benfica, keeping 94 clean sheets, and even played for Greek side Panathinaikos before his move to Portugal. Vlachodimos spent his entire international youth career with Germany before pledging himself to play for Greece at the senior level and has made 33 appearances for them, earning a reputation for being an efficient shot-stopper in his career.
WhoScored has categorized his biggest strength as his shot-stopping ability. His ability to maintain concentration is another positive, indicating that the Greek goalkeeper has the attributes to thrive at a major club.
What Role Does United Want Vlachodimos to Fulfill?
Romano has claimed that the Red Devils are eyeing a move for the 29-year-old to come in as their new backup goalkeeper and fill the spot of Henderson if departs Old Trafford this summer.
Romano states that the Greece international is already expected to leave Benfica in the summer, which is why Erik ten Hag’s side are exploring a possible move for him.
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The Premier League side appears to be undergoing a change in their goalkeeping department this summer, having allowed their veteran no.1 David de Gea to leave for free after his contract expired at the end of June. They still have Tom Heaton as a possible backup to Onana, but it seems that Ten Hag wants another option to increase his options. It has been described that Vlachidimos “fits this bill perfectly” to provide United with a reliable backup option for Andre Onana.
