Before Keylor Navas, the Pumas had been rejected by a Greek goalkeeper
Odysseas Vlachodimos was the first choice for the Pumas de la UNAM. Reports explain that the Greek did not want to leave Europe
The Pumas de la UNAM have generated a lot of noise in the transfer market. One of the positions that has been most criticized is the goal. Keylor Navas was considered the leading candidate, but before the Costa Rican, there was a Greek player on the radar.
The goalkeeping position has given Efrain Juarez and the UNAM Pumas management a lot of problems. Rodrigo Parra has been the starting goalkeeper for the Auriazul team, but the results have not been good.
The university students wanted to strengthen their goalkeeping position. Many names had been mentioned for this position, and each one has been based on the thrashings they received in the 2025 Apertura matches (6 goals in 2 matches).
However, the Auriazul team has had to navigate multiple options. According to Fabrizio Romano, the Mexicans' first option was Odysseas Vlachodimos. Little was said about the Greek, but his presence from the start could have changed the team's poor start in this tournament.
"Odysseas Vlachodimos was the Pumas' priority for the goalkeeper position, but he rejected the Mexican club's offer. According to Fabrizio Romano, the Greek wants to stay in Europe with his family," explains the report compiled by Bola Na Rede.
Relaunching his career
At 31 years old, Odysseas Vlachodimos is looking for a new opportunity in European football. In his last year with Newcastle, the Greek only made a save in one EFL Cup match. In fact, he came on as a substitute in this match and saw action for 45 minutes.
In this regard, the same report indicates that Odysseas Vlachodimos is being monitored by a couple of Spanish clubs. Real Betis and Villarreal are reportedly interested in signing the goalkeeper. These two clubs undoubtedly represent a greater professional challenge.
Odysseas Vlachodimos is a highly experienced goalkeeper. This goalkeeper was trained in the youth teams of Stuttgart in Germany, where he managed to reach the first team. Vlachodimos has also defended the goal for Panathinaikos, Benfica, Nottingham Forest, and Newcastle, his current club.