“The point is, I’m a Newcastle player” – Magpies man won’t commit to summer transfer

Newcastle United’s Odysseas Vlachodimos has made no secret of where he wants to be next season.

Happy, settled and thriving in Seville, the goalkeeper admits his family feels at home, but the final transfer decision may be out of his hands.

Despite a desire to remain in Spain, Vlachodimos insists he cannot yet commit to a permanent move, with Newcastle still holding all the cards ahead of the summer transfer window.

From record Newcastle United signing to bit‑part role

Vlachodimos joined Newcastle in a record‑breaking deal from Nottingham Forest in July 2024. But his time at St James’ Park quickly unravelled.

The Greek goalkeeper made just one competitive appearance for the Magpies, replacing Martin Dubravka in an EFL Cup win over Wimbledon in October 2024. Regular minutes never arrived. By the following summer he was already looking for a way out.

Sevilla move sparks career revival

A loan move to Sevilla in August offered Vlachodimos a fresh start and it has paid off.

The 31‑year‑old quickly established himself as the Spanish side’s number one goalkeeper, making 23 appearances so far this season and earning praise for his consistency and composure.

Sevilla were convinced early on, with just two games reportedly enough to confirm the deal had been a smart piece of business.

“We love being here” – Vlachodimos on life in Seville

The feeling is mutual too. Vlachodimos has been open about loving life in Seville after his miserable experience at Newcastle.

“I love the stadium, the team, the club; it’s like being back in Europe,” he told Diario de Sevilla in November.

“It’s fantastic! It makes me so happy to step onto the pitch with my children. It’s something beautiful.”

The goalkeeper’s connection to the city has been strengthened by how well his family have settled.

“My youngest son also plays here twice a week and has matches once a week,” Vlachodimos now tells Diario de Sevilla when asked if his family now feel ‘Sevillista’.

“They love coming to the stadium and going onto the pitch with us. They know the songs, they know all the players, it’s always wonderful.”

Sevilla want a deal — but Newcastle hold the power

That mutual affection has fuelled Sevilla’s desire to make the move permanent this summer. Sport Witness covered a report at the end of January stating that ‘conversations have taken place’ about another deal with Newcastle.

That also claimed that Vlachodimos is ‘willing to do his part’ to get the transfer sorted. He believes he’s found his place at Sevilla and doesn’t want to leave.

A follow up report to that then explained that Vlachodimos is ‘willing to force his way out’ of Newcastle this summer. According to that report, from Vamos Mi Sevilla, the Spanish club have already secured a ‘definitive yes’ from the Newcastle goalkeeper.

Financial reality, however, could complicate matters. Sevilla are operating under tight constraints and would likely seek a cut‑price deal, with some reports placing a potential fee at around €5m. Transfermarkt value the goalkeeper at €4m.

Why a summer transfer is far from straightforward

Newcastle, by contrast, paid €23.6m for Vlachodimos in 2024 and are under no immediate pressure to sell. His contract runs until 2028, giving Eddie Howe’s side significant leverage in negotiations.

That reality helps explain why Vlachodimos remains cautious in public, despite his clear desire to stay in Spain.

“As I’ve said many times, I feel very good here, my family feels very good here,” he added.

“We love being here, we love the club and we love the city. The thing is, I’m a Newcastle player, so I really don’t know what’s going to happen in the summer.”

For now, the goalkeeper may have found happiness in Seville, but his future remains firmly in Newcastle’s hands.