Fabrizio Romano confirms Newcastle player has rejected a move away from St James’ Park

Fabrizio Romano has revealed that one of Newcastle United’s out-of-favour players has turned down a loan move to Liga MX side Pumas, opting instead to keep his career in Europe alive.

This latest twist highlights the growing complexity of Newcastle’s summer transfer window, which has so far failed to meet expectations for Eddie Howe and his recruitment staff.

Despite weeks of planning and a list of key targets, progress has been slow, and frustrations are beginning to surface across various fronts.

The signing of Anthony Elanga offered some relief, with the Swedish winger arriving on a five-year deal reportedly worth £55 million.

He fills a long-standing void on the right wing and represents a smart addition in both ability and age profile. However, other pursuits have been far less fruitful.

Newcastle’s interest in James Trafford, a promising 22-year-old goalkeeper, now looks to be under serious threat following Manchester City’s decision to re-enter the picture.

Trafford, like Elanga, has long been tracked by the club, but it appears they won’t be as fortunate this time around. As the days go by, it’s clear that the recruitment operation is running into more complications than initially anticipated.

While much of the focus has been on new arrivals, exits from the squad are also quietly shaping the tone of the summer. Sean Longstaff has already sealed a move to Leeds United, ending his long association with his boyhood club.

And now, attention has turned to goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos, who finds himself in a career limbo. After a season in which he made only one appearance — 45 largely forgettable minutes in a Carabao Cup tie against AFC Wimbledon — it’s clear there is no future for him at St James’ Park.

Even with a limited goalkeeping pool, he was overlooked for Premier League duty in favour of John Ruddy, a veteran seven years older. That selection choice alone spoke volumes.

Earlier in the year, Saudi club Al-Shabab expressed interest in acquiring Vlachodimos, but Newcastle rejected their approach, dissatisfied with the financial terms.

Now, the club seems more open to letting him leave on loan, primarily due to Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), which make a permanent transfer financially challenging.

Romano confirmed in a now-deleted post on X that Vlachodimos had rejected a temporary move to Mexico’s Pumas. The Greek international has no interest in relocating his family outside Europe and remains focused on finding a club closer to home that can offer competitive football and stability.

One potential destination being monitored is Villarreal, with the Spanish side reportedly showing interest, though no formal offer has been made yet.

Vlachodimos’ situation is a clear reminder of how some signings made under financial pressure can backfire. He joined Newcastle as part of a £20 million double deal that also sent Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest.

The transaction raised eyebrows at the time, widely viewed as a move designed to satisfy accounting deadlines rather than football logic. It’s hard to see how Vlachodimos would have signed for the club under normal circumstances.

His inability to break into the first team has only reinforced the perception that the deal was more financial manoeuvring than a serious footballing investment.

Because of his price tag, Newcastle can’t simply cut their losses. They must find a resolution that allows them to preserve his market value while keeping within PSR guidelines.

A loan move seems like the only viable path forward for both club and player. Vlachodimos, for his part, appears open to leaving, provided it means staying within Europe and playing at a competitive level.

At 31, he still has time to rebuild his reputation and regain regular playing time, but every week that passes without movement puts more pressure on all parties to find a solution.

With the September transfer deadline looming, Newcastle must act decisively. Whether Villarreal or another European club steps forward, it’s increasingly clear that Vlachodimos won’t be a Newcastle player when the window closes.

His time on Tyneside has been brief, underwhelming, and shaped more by business needs than sporting ambition. The next chapter of his career depends entirely on the opportunities that arise in the coming weeks — and whether Newcastle are willing to be flexible enough to make them happen.