What sources close to Odysseas Vlachodimos are now saying after he signs for Newcastle United

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Newcastle United’s goalkeeping department has had a real overhaul over the last few days, and changes are expected to continue.

It was a frantic end to June as Newcastle scrambled to comply with Profit and Sustainability rules to avoid a potential points deduction next season.

The sales of Yankuba Minteh and Elliot Anderson ensured Eddie Howe’s side are clear of any punishments from the Premier League, having raised over £60m as reported by The Athletic.

With all the noises surrounding the potential sales of their star players such as Anthony Gordon, who reportedly had his head turned by Liverpool, Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes, Newcastle’s shake-up of their goalkeeping department has gone under the radar.

Newcastle’s new look goalkeeper department

While Anderson entered the City Ground’s doors, Odysseas Vlachodimos exited and joined Newcastle in a separate deal for a minimal fee.

The Greece international was not the only goalkeeper arriving on Tyneside this week, as the Magpies also confirmed the signing of former Birmingham City shot-stopper, John Ruddy on a one-year deal.

Ruddy’s arrival leaves Newcastle with five senior goalkeepers on their books, which suggests that at least one will go. At the moment it seems Martin Dubravka is the most likely candidate, with iNews stating that the Slovakia international is widely expected to leave Newcastle after six years on Tyneside.

Nick Pope’s number one spot under threat

iNews also says that sources close to new Magpies’ goalkeeper Vlachodimos have suggested he has arrived at the club to challenge Pope for the number one spot. The main intention appears to be for Vlachodimos to replace Dubravka in Newcastle’s squad for the upcoming campaign.

Pope had a disrupted campaign through injury last season after dislocating his shoulder in December, which resulted in Dubravka appearing 30 times for Newcastle.

Pope did play in the final game of the season against Brentford and also appeared in the club’s post-season tour of Australia in a bid to regain his fitness.

With Dubravka’s departure seen as inevitable, Newcastle will enter the new season with four goalkeepers on their books. Just who starts between the sticks for their first game of the season against Southampton remains to be seen, but Pope certainly has competition for his place and will be determined to hold on to the number one spot.