Bournemouth Set to Seal Swoop for £21m-Rated Serie A Goalkeeper

Bournemouth Set to Sign New Goalkeeper

AFC Bournemouth are set to secure the signing of Lazio goalkeeper Christos Mandas in the coming days, according to Nizaar Kinsella.

Although the Cherries have only recently secured the arrival of Fraser Forster as a backup option and current number-one Dorde Petrovic only arrived from Chelsea back in the summer, Andoni Iraola has opted to bring in an extra pair of hands between the posts through the medium of the 24-year-old Greece international.

It is believed that the deal taking him to England's south coast with be on an initial loan deal, but the Cherries will hold a conditional obligation to make the move permanent at the end.

The arrival of Christos Mandas adds healthy competition in goal, but there’s still plenty to like about Djordje Petrović’s profile at #afcb.

While his save percentage and PSxG numbers are down on his outstanding Strasbourg season, that drop needs context. Goalkeepers are often… pic.twitter.com/qWP1xfF7hj

— BKFCentral (@BKFCentral) January 21, 2026

Christos Closes on Cherries Chance

With Christos Mandas having only made a single appearance over the entire season thus far for Lazio, it does make sense for the Greek goalkeeper to be seeking a new challenge elsewhere in Europe.

With two Greece caps to his name and 33 Lazio appearances under his belt since joining from Greek side OFI in 2023, Mandas would join a goalkeeper department at the Vitality already consisting of the likes of Dorde Petrvovic, Fraser Forster and Will Dennis.

DONE DEAL! 🇬🇷🧤

According to exclusive information from Greek outlet Gazzetta and journalist, @ChalNotis, Christos Mandas is set to become a new Bournemouth player! 🍒🔥

Despite making just one appearance this season (Lazio vs Milan in the Coppa Italia 🇮🇹), the Greek goalkeeper… pic.twitter.com/U26xUeAnYM

— Dimitris Manakos (@dimitrismanakos) January 22, 2026

It is understood that the conditions triggering the move being made permanent will be difficult to meet - Kinsella notes that a similar deal structure was put in place amidst the signing of Alex Jimenez back in the summer, with clauses regarding an unlikely European qualification involved in any deal turning permanent.

Bournemouth are next in action this weekend, facing Liverpool on Saturday, 24th of January. They'll kick off at the Vitality at 5:30 in that day's late Premier League bout.