Middlesbrough are looking to solve their goalkeeping dilemma by signing Dutch international Jeroen Zoet from PSV Eindhoven, according to AD.
Since Neil Warnock kicked off his slippers and returned to the dugout for ‘one last job’ in June, the Boro boss appears no closer to deciding who should be his number one at the Riverside.
So far, Aynsley Pears and Dejan Stojanovic have shared goalkeeping duties, but neither have really established themselves as the clear front-runner.
It is no coincidence that, since the transfer window opened, Middlesbrough have been linked with a host of talented glovesmen, from Portsmouth youngster Alex Bass to Fulham’s promotion-winner Marcus Bettinelli.
Reports in Holland are now claiming that 29-year-old Zoet is in Warnock’s sights too.
An 11-time Dutch international who has won three Eredivisie titles at PSV, the long-serving academy graduate endured a difficult 2019/20 campaign and his status as the club’s number one is under more threat than ever after Yvon Mvogo arrived on loan from RB Leipzig.
But, while Zoet fell short of his usually sky-high standards last season, as PSV finished fourth in the Eredivisie and flopped in the Europa League, he would still represent a sizeable coup for a Middlesbrough side who only recently avoided relegation to the third tier.
“I think he is an excellent goalkeeper,” former PSV boss, and now Derby coach, Phillip Cocu told BN DeStem in 2017.
“He does not allow himself to be knocked in the event of a setback and he has become mentally stronger. An injury or a mistake has less impact on him as a person.”
The Mail reported this morning that Pears, son of Boro legend Stephen, is up for sale with his contract due to expire in 2021.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
