Rafa Benitez could raid Newcastle United in 2026 as summer transfer already in mind

Newcastle United will look to sell goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos in 2026 amid new interest from Panathinaikos.

Elliot Anderson has become a star after leaving Newcastle United, with the midfielder taking his game to a new level at Nottingham Forest.

PSR concerns forced Newcastle into that sale, with goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos arriving at St James’ Park in return.

The Greek stopper was a strange signing for Newcastle, and few were surprised to see him play just once last season.

Vlachodimos has impressed on loan at Sevilla this season, and Newcastle will hope to sell in 2026.

Rafael Benitez could sign Newcastle United’s Odysseas Vlachodimos

The former Benfica stopper has no future at Newcastle and will surely be available on a permanent basis at the end of the season.

Vlachodimos excelled for Greece against Scotland over the weekend, and new speculation surrounds his future.

MORE NEWCASTLE STORIES

Gazzetta in Greece report that Panathinaikos want to sign Vlachodimos in the summer transfer window.

Lazio goalkeeper Christos Mandas is on the radar too, but Panathinaikos would rather wait for Vlachodimos in the summer.

Vlachodimos previously spent two years with Panathinaikos, joining the club from Stuttgart in 2016.

A return to Athens is now being eyed, and the deal could see Vlachodimos play under former Magpies boss Rafa Benitez.

Benitez recently became Panathinaikos boss, and he could now launch a move to bring Vlachodimos back to Greece.

Few really expected Vlachodimos to have a long-term future at Newcastle from the moment he joined.

It may be cynical to suggest that he was only signed to circumvent PSR sanctions, but that’s certainly how the deal looked.

Newcastle will hope to offload Vlachodimos, and the more suitors, the better.

Sevilla may well be interested in signing Vlachodimos permanently after impressing on loan, and Panathinaikos are now preparing a move of their own.

Newcastle certainly won’t stand in their way and will hope to see cash offers arrive for Vlachodimos in 2026.