Report: Newcastle ready to let ‘frustrated’ player leave this summer as Psr problem strikes again
Newcastle United are once again dealing with the financial and sporting consequences of a transfer strategy shaped by Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), with goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos now likely to leave the club after just one underwhelming season.
The Greek international arrived at St James’ Park in 2024 as part of a carefully structured deal that saw homegrown midfielder Elliot Anderson move to Nottingham Forest for £35 million.
To help balance their PSR compliance, Newcastle paid £20 million to bring in Vlachodimos from the same club. The deal was financially expedient, but in terms of footballing impact, it has failed to deliver.
Since his arrival, Vlachodimos has made just one senior appearance in a Newcastle shirt, a frustrating return for a 31-year-old goalkeeper who expected to play a far more active role.
Reports emerging as early as January confirmed the player’s growing dissatisfaction with his situation, and that discontent has only deepened as the season wore on.
As Newcastle prepare for a summer squad overhaul, his name features prominently on the list of potential departures. However, the nature of that departure is not so simple.
Due to the way his transfer fee is amortised over the course of his five-year contract, selling Vlachodimos for a cut-price fee could create further PSR complications.
Newcastle are therefore more inclined to arrange a loan move that keeps him off the wage bill temporarily without compromising their financial position.
While he remains third-choice behind Nick Pope and Martin Dúbravka, his lack of involvement means the club sees little sense in keeping him on the books without any realistic chance of game time.
The goalkeeping department at Newcastle, once bloated with as many as five senior shot-stoppers during the 2024/25 season, now faces sweeping changes.
John Ruddy, who joined on a short-term deal, is expected to leave at the end of his contract this June. Mark Gillespie’s situation remains unresolved as his deal also nears expiry. This mass exodus opens the door for new arrivals and a complete reshaping of the position.
To fill those gaps, Newcastle are targeting experienced and strategically valuable additions. Fraser Forster is expected to arrive on a free transfer after being released by Tottenham Hotspur.
At 37, Forster brings a wealth of Premier League experience and crucially qualifies as a club-trained player, an important consideration for Newcastle’s Champions League squad registration.
His addition would help fulfill UEFA’s homegrown player quota, offering value beyond the pitch.
In parallel, the club is pushing hard to sign James Trafford from Burnley. Trafford is understood to be Eddie Howe’s preferred long-term option, with the manager eager to inject youth and competition into the position.
Trafford would not only provide serious competition for Nick Pope but also align with Newcastle’s focus on building a younger, more dynamic squad.
All these developments point to a significant transformation in Newcastle’s goalkeeping ranks for the 2025/26 campaign. Vlachodimos, brought in largely due to financial maneuvering, looks set to move on without having made a meaningful impact.
The club’s strategy now aims to blend experienced heads like Forster with emerging talents such as Trafford while continuing to monitor PSR implications closely.
As the transfer window opens and negotiations accelerate, Newcastle’s backroom staff face the dual challenge of assembling a competitive squad and staying on the right side of financial regulations.
The departure of frustrated figures like Vlachodimos might just be the first in a long line of calculated moves to realign both the club’s balance sheet and on-field ambitions.