Man Utd reach ‘verbal agreement’ after ‘official offer’ for €15m Greek international
Manchester United have reached a ‘verbal agreement’ with Benfica over the transfer of Odysseas Vlachodimos, according to reports.
The Red Devils allowed David de Gea to leave on a free transfer this summer as Erik ten Hag decided to bring in Andre Onana from Inter Milan in a €55m deal.
Dean Henderson has been the back-up goalkeeper so far this campaign with the England international appearing on the bench in their first two Premier League matches against Wolves and Tottenham.
Henderson is likely to be sold or loaned out at some point this summer with Nottingham Forest the favourites earlier in the transfer window to land the 26-year-old.
However, Crystal Palace are now reportedly negotiating a fee for £30m-rated Henderson, while Forest are still interested but would prefer a loan with an obligation to buy.
And Man Utd can bring in a replacement for Henderson once his future is sorted with Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg insisting that the Red Devils have now made an ‘official offer’ for Benfica goalkeeper Vlachodimos.
READ MORE: Mailbox: Mason Greenwood has helped the sportswashers by distracting football fans
Plettenberg adds that the Greece international ‘could sign a contract until 2028’ with Man Utd sealing a ‘verbal agreement in principle’ with the Portuguese giants.
His price valuation is around €15m and Plettenberg continues by saying ‘[Erik] Ten Hag wants him but there’s no final decision as Altay Bayindir is also in the race.’
A report in Turkey earlier this week even claimed Fenerbahce goalkeeper Bayindir was edging closer to a move to Man Utd after the clubs apparently agreed a deal worth around €7m.
Former Tottenham defender Sebastien Bassong reckons new Man Utd goalkeeper Onana will prove to be a controversial figure at Old Trafford.
Speaking to the The Beautiful Game podcast, Bassong said of his compatriot: “I remember when Andre started in the national team, the first time he was third keeper, he always had a big mouth. He’s born to be a leader.
“He is Cameroonian. We call Cameroon the continent because it’s a different part of Africa. Andre is skilful, he could play number 10, number 6, he’s a proper baller, he’s unreal. He’s athletic, so agile.
“Some people will love him, some people will hate him. He’s younger so he’s fearless. Elders can see it as a disrespect because you can feel threatened and wish you could have been like him – ‘who does he think he is?’.
“He had that a lot, that he was mouthy, talking too much. It might take him to the highest and it will I reckon, because that’s his strength, but he’s going to have to learn when to use it and turn it up and down. That’s the magic key, he’ll get that with experience.”