Journalist now says £20m man will be loaned out this season in another strange twist

In some respects this has been a transfer window to remember for Newcastle United, but definitely not for good reasons.

Eddie Howe named a starting XI of all familiar faces yesterday as Newcastle took on Southampton. Only Lloyd Kelly and Will Osula were new names that appeared on the bench.

It meant that the season opener lacked any of the usual excitement and that was kind of reflected in the atmosphere and the performance which only sparked into life once Craig Pawson brandished the red card for Fabian Schar.

Newcastle are still working on deals as the window doesn't close until the end of the month, but right now, there haven't been any signings that have got the Toon buzzing.

Serena Taylor/Getty Images

Our big summer signing is still Odysseas Vlachodimos

In fact, our most expensive signing of the summer is one that nobody saw coming, and truth be told, nobody wanted - Newcastle picked up Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos for around £20 million as part of Elliot Anderson's £35 million move in the other direction. It's clear who got the better of that deal.

Newacstle were in the market for a new 'keeper, but were looking at Giorgi Mamardashvili or Filip Jorgensen, then moving on to James Trafford - less exciting but has plenty of potential, then suddenly, Oddy comes in alongside John Ruddy and suddenly Newacstle have five goalkeepers.

Yesterday Martin Dubravka was named on the bench indicating that as long as he's at the club, he's number two, although there are still rumours that he will leave.

We love a goalkeeper at Newcastle ... apparently

Now, journalist Alan Nixon has reported via Patreon that Odysseas Vlachodimos will be loaned out by Newcastle this season which really does beg the question - who accepted him as part of the Anderson deal? Nottingham Forest have players that we actually wanted, why bring in one we didn't want?

So with it looking like Vlachodimos will be loaned out and Martin Dubravka could still be sold, that means Newcastle could still go back in for James Trafford which will, again. leave us with five goalkeepers when Vlachodimos' loan expires.

And we wonder why we struggle with PSR. Our wage bill for goalkeepers is killing us!