There is something of an art to selling players. A trick Southampton, over the years, have mastered.
The Saints became a perfect example of how to make the best of losing their star men, Virigil van Dijk, Luke Shaw, Sadio Mane, Adam Lallana and more all leaving the South Coast for eye-watering transfer fees.
Even after suffering relegation from the Premier League in 2023, Southampton banked around £150 million via the sales of Romeo Lavia, Tino Livramento, James Ward-Prowse, Nathan Tella and Mohammed Salisu.
It’s a model Feyenoord, former Dutch international Wim Kieft argues, should have followed.
Now, the 2023 Dutch champions themselves have made substantial sums on plenty of key players over the years. See Luis Sinisterra, Mats Wieffer, Orkun Kokcu and Manchester United left-back Tyrell Malacia.
But when it comes to goalkeeper Justin Bijlow, Kieft feels that Feyenoord have dropped the ball.
Southampton want Feyenoord ace Justin Bijlow
The Rotterdam-born, hometown hero has been allowed to run his contract down.
He currently has less than two years remaining on his deal, with Southampton potentially set to sign the Netherlands shot-stopper for around half the fee Man United were quoted when they held talks around 12 months ago.
Southampton, HITC understands, have offered £10 million.
Reporter Martijn Krabbendam, meanwhile, tells Voetbal International that Feyenoord may also be willing to let Bijlow leave on loan, albeit with a purchase clause in the 26-year-old’s contract.
And Kieft cannot believe Feyenoord have allowed such a scenario to creep up on them.
“Bijlow is a Feyenoord face, an Oranje player, a great keeper who has always delivered and represents a lot of value,” the former PSV Eindhoven, Ajax and Torino ace De Telegraaf.
Kieft also feels that, with new Feyenoord boss Brian Priske dropping Bijlow to the bench in favour of Timon Wellenreuther, the former Liverpool target’s value has dropped even further, although his fears of a £2 million sale are unfounded with Southampton offering far more than that.
Russell Martin wants another goalkeeper
“Because the new coach Brian Priske has the idea to put Bijlow on the bench, Feyenoord can be happy with two or three million euros,” Kieft groans. “Now, he is worth almost nothing.
“Pure capital destruction.”
Southampton manager Russell Martin has already confirmed his desire to bring in a new goalkeeper.
Veteran Alex McCarthy was at the heart of a mix-up which gifted Joelinton the winner for Newcastle United on the opening weekend. Gavin Bazunu is also injured, while Mateusz Lis has left for Turkish outfit Goztepe.
Arsena back-up Aaron Ramsdale has also been linked.
“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 tells the Daily Echo, Bijlow well suited to his possession-based tactics.
“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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