Feyenoord CEO Dennis te Kloese does not appear happy with the manner Southampton signed Aaron Ramsdale from Arsenal instead of Justin Bijlow after the latter’s transfer collapsed
Feyenoord CEO Dennis te Kloese has cast doubt on Southampton’s reasonIng for ending a move for goalkeeper Justin Bijlow.
The Eredivisie side’s supporters had already provided an emotional goodbyee to Biljow ahead of his trip to St Mary’s. It was not long before the shotstopper would go on to reveal that his move to the Premier League club had collapsed after he failed his medical.
Instead, Saints signed Aaron Ramsdale from Arsenal in a deal worth £25million. The ex-Gunners No.1 signed a four-year deal, with the club holding the option for a further year, as Southampton moved quickly ahead of the transfer deadline.
Safe to say that the rapid turnaround of that deal left some suspicious at Feyenoord. De Trots van Zuid chief Te Kloese was unafraid to highlight that point.
“It is quite a coincidence that a club has Aaron Ramsdale ready for £25m and a five-year contract five minutes after they told us that he would not pass the medical,” Te Kloese told ESPN Netherlands.
“I don’t think you can organise that in five minutes,” he added.
Bijlow was left frustrated at Southampton’s stance on an old injury. The 26-year-old goalkeeper perhaps offered a more political assessment in his public message after the move broke down however.
Justin Bijlow played under Arne Slot at Feyenoord (
Getty Images)
“Dear Feyenoorders, I was on my way to the Premier League. After a very special day last Sunday, for which I am very grateful, I was preparing for departure from Feyenoord. “I didn’t find that easy and it wasn’t my first choice, but it had to be for the sake of my career.
“The medical examination has shown that Southampton has a different vision than Feyenoord on how to treat an old injury. I’m fully fit and this doesn’t bother me, but I respect the vision of Southampton medical staff.
“This is why I return to Rotterdam, to my club Feyenod. My bond with the city and the club is iron strong. I keep fighting for a place in the goal of Feyenoord and the Dutch national team. Feyenoorders, thank you for the support you always give me.”
England international Ramsdale immediately went into Russell Martin’s starting lineup against Brentford but had a far from enjoyable start in a 3-1 defeat. Ramsdale had featured in just one training session before making his debut.
“It was a massive signing for the club, character wise, ability wise,” Martin said of his new goalkeeper. “Alex [McCarthy] has taken it incredibly well, as I thought he would because of the character he is and the brilliant teammate, brilliant person he is.
“It just wasn’t easy. It’s never easy to take people off, to leave them out of the squad, to not play them, it’s the most difficult part of the job. So to make that decision wasn’t easy, but the way Alex has done it and supported Aaron, and Joe Lumley as well, because it’s changed his position a little bit.
“But Rambo is going to help us hugely, you could see that today. He stuck at it after one training session and the lads are trying so hard, they’re giving everything, they’re fighting, so it’s not for a lack of that and he will add to that hugely.”
