Reporter says Southampton may be only hours away from signing £10m ace now
It is not all too frequent an occurrence, when a transfer happens which every single party is happy with. But as Southampton close in on a key transfer target, it appears that nobody will be attempting to stop the deal in it’s tracks.
HITC reported earlier this week that Southampton had submitted a £10 million bid to bring in goalkeeper Justin Bijlow from Feyenoord.
The Saints lost their first game back in the Premier League last week. Veteran shot-stopper Alex McCarthy was at the heart of a mix-up which gift-wrapped Joelinton’s winner at St James’ Park.
But should Bijlow arrive – and the sounds coming out of the Netherlands suggest that he will – Southampton could have a new man standing between the sticks by the time September 1st rolls around.
It will come as no surprise to anyone au fait with Russell Martin’s tactics that Bijlow is not just a shot-stopper. The Rotterdam-born glovesman is a fine passer of the ball too, a talent he honed under now-Liverpool boss Arne Slot at Feyenoord.
Any goalkeeper in a Martin-led team must be capable of starting moves from the back. As such, Bijlow looks well-suited to the former Swansea City boss’ possession-heavy tactics.
Southampton likely to sign Feyenoord’s Justin Bijlow
The Dutch international will not arrive quickly enough to feature in Saturday’s clash with Nottingham Forest. But, still, an official announcement regarding his transfer could come before the whistle sounds for kick off at St Mary’s.
Martijn Krabbendam, an expert of all things Feyenoord for Voetbal International, believes that it would be a little odd if the deal was not given the green-light by the close of play on Friday.
“All parties would find it strange if no agreement is reached tonight or tomorrow,” Krabbendam wrote on Thursday. “(The negotiations are) not too difficult.”
Southampton have offered £10 million.
Krabbendam adds that Feyenoord may be willing to accept an initial loan deal, provided that there is an obgliation-to-buy clause inserted into Bijlow’s contract.
“Of course, the club is asking for a market-value transfer fee, but they are prepared to divide it into a loan and a mandatory purchase option, the amount of which is currently being negotiated,” the reporter adds while confirming that the 2023 Eredivisie champions are now pursuing replacements.
“Feyenoord is currently mapping out a number of goalkeepers.”
Liverpool and Manchester United looked at Bijlow
Krabbendam believes that Sparta Rotterdam talisman Nick Olij – arguably the best shot-stopper in the whole of Dutch football’s top flight – is a leading target.
Bijlow, meanwhile, was also considered to reunite with Slot at Liverpool. The Anfield giants have now shifted their focus to Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Bijlow also concerned, during the summer of 2023, that he held talks regarding a potential switch to Manchester United before Erik ten Hag’s side struck a deal with Inter Milan for Andre Onana.
Saints boss Martin, meanwhile, confirms to the Daily Echo that a new goalkeeper is required after Mateusz Lis sealed his move to Goztepe.
“I think it’s good for him but we are a goalkeeper short now because Gavin Bazunu is injured. We have Joe Lumley and Alex McCarthy as senior goalkeepers,” Martin says.
“The goalkeeper you have mentioned (Bijlow) is probably one on the long list that we have watched and looked at. Once it is near close to being done, then obviously we’ll have a discussion about it.
“I don’t know who it will be yet, but we definitely need help in that department.”
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