Odysseas Vlachodimos Rejects Pumas As Villarreal Show Interest

Odysseas Vlachodimos has no plans to quit European football amid interest from Villarreal, despite Mexican giants Pumas UNAM looking to offer him a route out of Newcastle.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Villarreal boss Marcelino Toral is continuing his search for a new goalkeeper after failing to secure a starting goalkeeper for next season as Villarreal aims to improve on last year’s results. There has been no shortage of options presented to the Yellow Submarine throughout the ongoing transfer window, but so far Marcelino has turned his nose up at offerings from the club’s recruitment team. However, there is one player the Villarreal boss is willing to accept: Newcastle shot-stopper Vlachodimos. But whether he gets the opportunity to work with the Greece international is out of his hands, at least for now.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

We have learned that Newcastle currently have no plans to let Vlachodimos depart, despite having previously looked to sanction a move back to Benfica for the goalkeeper. Nonetheless, Villarreal will be keeping a watchful eye on how Marton Debreceni performs as their new No.1 and would happily reignite their interest in Vlachodimos should circumstances permit. As per reports, Newcastle are not willing to sell Alexander Isak despite interest from Liverpool.

WHAT NEXT FOR VILLARREAL?

The La Liga side are not ready to wait on Newcastle forever, though. They are working on several alternative options, including Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, and will only turn back to the Premier League side should Debreceni and a number of other new signings prove not to be up to scratch. In the meantime, Villarreal has also been active in the transfer market as they look to strengthen their squad for next season, having finished fifth in La Liga and qualified for next season’s Champions League.