Bournemouth’s loan deal for Christos Mandas didn’t work out in the 2025/26 campaign. They remain in the picture to keep him at the club.
The Greek didn’t play a single time in the Premier League after his arrival in England. The move came after he witnessed the exact same fate with Lazio in Serie A. He was desperate for game time but things didn’t turn around at all.
Back in April, Sport Witness covered how Lazio remained optimistic about a permanent deal. This was more out of hope than reality, as they were desperate for money. Besides, Bournemouth had an option to buy of €18m inserted in the loan.
With the season over and Andoni Iraola gone, the player could yet stay at the Vitality Stadium.
Cherries prefer discussions
Corriere dello Sport report the keeper position remains uncertain for Lazio. Ivan Provedel is being pursued by Inter, having fallen by young Edoardo Motta in the last few weeks of the season.
If the Italian leaves, Mandas’ future could matter to the Italian side more than they initially thought. CEO Claudio Lotito doesn’t want to lose both the Greek and Provedel and look to keep Mandas for another season. Manager Rino Gattuso would be happy to keep the Greece international too.
In the meantime, Bournemouth have expressed interested in keeping the 24-year-old. They would only sign him permanently if Lazio agree to reduce the €18m demand.
Whether the Biancocelesti open up to this remains to be seen. The player however, can yet be interested in staying with the Cherries. He is set to express his opinion and is only awaiting discussions with the clubs before making a final decision.
Cherries stay makes no sense
It appears as though Lazio will finally make Mandas their first-choice. Even if Motta impressed, the Greek will be handed the starting role.
That is all he wanted not too long ago. At Bournemouth, he may not get that. Marco Rose will have his own ideas, with Đorđe Petrović the current first-choice between the sticks.
Risking another season in the South Coast makes no sense for Mandas. Last season proved to be a waste, even if he showed quite a bit of quality in the 2024/25 campaign. The fact that he was never considered as an option in the 2025/26 was quite a shock and he now has a chance to turn it all around.
