Manchester United goalkeeper target Odysseas Vlachodimos eyes move after falling foul of Benfica head coach Roger Schmidt… as Crystal Palace step up interest in Dean Henderson
anchester goalkeeper target Odysseas Vlachodimos is keen to leave Benfica after being criticised by coach Roger Schmidt.
The 29-year-old emerged as a candidate to join Erik ten Hag’s squad ranks on Sunday, with Mail Sport revealing that the Red Devils had enquired with the Portuguese club about the Greece international.
United are keen to bolster their reserves between the sticks after bringing in new first-choice No 1 Andre Onana during this summer’s transfer window for £50million.
Crystal Palace are the favourites to sign United’s reserve goalkeeper Dean Henderson, but the England international has also received offers from Nottingham Forest.
Vlachodimos has made 225 appearances for Benfica since joining the Portuguese giants from Panathinaikos in 2018.
He played a starring role in 34 top-flight matches last season as the side claimed the league title.
Earlier in the window, United opted to move on a number of their goalkeeping options, including selling Nathan Bishop to Sunderland.
Matej Kovar was also sold for £7.7m to Bayer Leverkusen last week, on a long-term deal.
The club have been doing brisk business with just over a week until the transfer window closes, on Monday confirming a permanent move for 20-year-old Noam Emeran.
The French winger joined FC Groningen four years after his move to the club’s youth set-up from Amiens, with the Red Devils fending off the likes of Barcelona, Juventus, and Paris Saint-Germain to secure his signature.
Despite scoring for Ten Hag against Leeds during pre-season, Emeran was unable to break into the first team, but saw success at youth level, scoring seven goals in 36 appearances for United’s Under-21 side.
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Arsenal defender William Saliba delivered an impressive performance as the club secured a hard-fought victory over Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
Arsenal defender William Saliba delivered an impressive performance as the club secured a hard-fought victory over Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
Eddie Nketiah spurned two chances to find the back of the net in the first half. The deadlock was eventually broken after the striker won a clever penalty in the 51st minute.
Martin Odegaard stepped forward to convert the spot kick, but things got tougher thereafter. Takehiro Tomiyasu was sent off for a second yellow card in the 67th minute.
Declan Rice showed his class from midfield and made key ball recoveries. However, Saliba was our man of the match after an outstanding performance from central defence.
The Frenchman completed 61 out of his 65 passes with an accuracy of 94 per cent. He had 83 touches of the ball, making eight clearances alongside two interceptions. He won 100% of his aerial duels.
However, his most crucial impact came before the interval. The Frenchman lost possession to Jordan Ayew, but made up for it with a stunning last-man tackle in the box.
Saliba was a huge miss for the Gunners during the final two months of last season, and many Arsenal fans believe his back injury contributed to the club’s poor end to the campaign.
The Frenchman made a complete recovery before pre-season, and he looks back at his best. For the second season running, Saliba put on a show against Palace on the road.
Arsenal are currently one of just three clubs with a perfect start after the opening two games and will be eyeing another victory when Fulham visit the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
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