MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly “exploring a move” for Benfica goalkeeper Odisseas Vlachodimos.
Sun Sport exclusively revealed today that Crystal Palace are making a shock move for Red Devils stopper Dean Henderson.
GettyMan Utd have been linked with a swoop for Benfica goalie Odysseas Vlachodimos[/caption]
GettyComparisons to David De Gea have left fans underwhelmed[/caption]
The Eagles have been told that the Old Trafford No 2 is available on a loan-to-buy basis and he is high on their list as Vicente Guaita looks set to leave Selhurst Park.
Palace will take Henderson if the deal is right — and they have a chance after Nottingham Forest backed away from targeting the star who had last season’s loan at the City Ground cut short by injury.
United wanted cash or a guarantee that Henderson, 26, would move to Forest permanently if he played enough games this season, but that became a hard deal to broker.
However, as Palace look to close a move for the England international, that has left United boss Erik ten Hag searching for a replacement.
And now transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Greek ace Vlachodimos, 29, is “top” of the list.
He tweeted: “Manchester United now exploring move for Odisseas Vlachodimos who’s expected to leave Benfica.
“Vlachodimos, top of Man Utd list as new backup GK in case Dean Henderson joins Crystal Palace or Forest.”
The former Stuttgart goalie, who was linked with United in March, moved to Benfica in 2018 from Panathinaikos and he has gone on to make over 150 appearances in the Portuguese top-flight.
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He has won the title twice during that period and is believed to be under contract until 2027 – but comparisons with former United keeper David De Gea appear to have quickly dampened the spirits of fans.
One tweeted: “I remember when we were linked with him and Benfica fans were celebrating and they were all calling him DDG 2.0 but we have [Andre] Onana so who cares anymore.”
While another wrote: “Benfica fans are calling him the Greek De Gea.”
Former Spain No1 De Gea has been unemployed since the expiration of his contract with United in June.
Now a free agent, the 32-year-old was on the radar of several Saudi Pro League clubs but reports suggested he was on his way to Bayern Munich.
However, there were major stumbling blocks in the move with De Gea’s wage demands said to be too high for Bayern and that has allegedly scuppered the move.
De Gea racked up a club record for a goalkeeper of 545 appearances, surpassing the previous highest set by 1968 European Cup winning legend Alex Stepney, and was part of their last title-winning United side in 2013 under Sir Alex Ferguson.
He finished this season with the golden glove as well after 17 clean sheets in the Premier League, the second time he has won it after keeping 18 in 2017/18.
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GettyDean Henderson could be heading to Crystal Palace from Man Utd[/caption]