AFC Bournemouth have dived into the goalkeeper market for the second time this window.
The club have now announced a deal for Lazio keeper Christos Mandas to join the club on loan for the remainder of the season.
Mandas said to AFCBTV: “It feels like a magical atmosphere between the players and the fans, and I like the way the team plays.”
He added: “From the start, when I knew Bournemouth were interested, I knew that I wanted to come here.”
Fraser Forster joined the club as a free agent at the start of January after an injury to reserve keeper Will Dennis in training.
Mandas will now fight for the position of first choice goalkeeper with Serbian Djordje Petrovic, likely leaving Forster to be 3rd choice.
The deal is set to be worth around £1.3m loan fee and could become a permanent transfer of £16m if Mandas reaches a certain number of appearances between now and the end of the season.
Lebanese journalist and Lazio Correspondent, Michel Sakr, said: “I would say he’s capable of playing right now, he’s already proved himself last season when he replaced Provedel (Lazio keeper) and became first choice.”
The Greek international has made only one appearance this season keeping a clean sheet in the Coppa Italia round of 16 match against AC Milan but has a lot of talent to bring to the south coast.
Sakr said: “His reaction saves, he has made some exceptional saves in his appearances last season.”
Sakr also revealed that Lazio have “major financial issues” and have already made some big sales this window with former Arsenal midfield Matteo Guendouzi moving to Fenerbache for £23m and Valentin Castellanos going to West Ham for £24m.
The Cherries are back in action this Saturday as they make the trip to face Wolves where we could see Mandas for the first time.
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