Southampton’s goalkeeper saga has been slammed after a move for Justin Bijlow fell through.
Southampton’s Deadline Day expectedly was quite chaotic as Russell Martin looked to fully prepare his side for the 2024/25 Premier League campaign.
There was clear emphasis on the necessity of bringing a goalkeeper to the club, especially with the uncertainty over the qualities of Alex McCarthy in-between the sticks, and how he had already shown in the season opener against Newcastle United that extra recruits may be needed in goal.
Southampton had two clear options when considering goalkeepers who were Premier League quality, and had sufficient ability when using their feet.
Whilst Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was an option, a move for Feyenoord’s Justin Bijlow materialised, with the Dutch goalkeeper having a medical ahead of a move.
However, what followed next was certainly a surprise as a failed medical saw Southampton quickly swoop in for the Arsenal shot-stopper, which as a result has been questioned by the Feyenoord director.
Feyenoord director Dennis te Kloese slams one ‘coincidental’ thing in Southampton goalkeeper saga
Aaron Ramsdale arrived at Southampton for a sizeable fee of £25million following a deal for Bijlow not coming to fruition.
Following the somewhat chaotic events, Feyenoord director Dennis te Kloese has spoken about the ordeal involving his goalkeeper.
Speaking to ESPN, he said: “I can’t say what I think another club is doing, but it’s very coincidental that, five minutes after they tell us that Justin may not get through the medical examination, they already have Ramsdale ready for 25 million and offered him a five-year contract.
“I don’t think you can organise that in five minutes.
“This does indicate a bit how it is a bit to how things are going within the football world.”
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Were Southampton always hoping to seal a deal for Aaron Ramsdale
Even though Southampton went for the Arsenal goalkeeper in the end as the man to be in-between the sticks for the Saints this season, the Saints were certainly close to striking a deal for Bijlow.
The Feyenoord director’s comments suggest that maybe it was a ploy to get Aaron Ramsdale to sign following the Bijlow medical issues, or perhaps Southampton were always going to make a move for the England international anyways, due to the fact that they had ‘25 million’ ready.
However, this is just a general practice of a club with their priorities in line, and Southampton did brilliantly well to cover all bases and ensure that they came away from the transfer window with a new goalkeeper.
The Saints certainly wouldn’t have purposefully had anything to do with the breakdown in Bijlow’s deal, it was certainly more of a case of the club preparing well for the transfer window.