The Gunners are reportedly interested in bringing Feyenoord goalkeeper Justin Bijlow to North London this summer. With Aaron Ramsdale likely to leave, Bijlow is seen as a potential replacement. The 26-year-old Dutch international might initially serve as a deputy to David Raya but is considered capable of challenging for the number one spot.
Arsenal face stiff competition for Bijlow’s signature. Liverpool are currently favorites to sign him, thanks to the relationship between Bijlow and new Liverpool manager Arne Slot, who managed him at Feyenoord for the past three seasons. Manchester United also showed interest in Bijlow last summer.
In an interview with Voetbalzone, Bijlow was non-committal about his future. “Will I stay at Feyenoord? You never know, do you? That’s football, you never know that. I’m ambitious, I’ve always said that. If the opportunity presents itself and a good club comes from abroad, I am open to it,” he said. When asked specifically about Arsenal and Liverpool, he replied, “Those are two very nice clubs. Of course, it is always nice to be mentioned at big clubs. As I said, I’m ambitious. As long as I play for Feyenoord, I will give everything for that and first I just want to focus on the Dutch team.”
Bijlow is well-suited for teams that build from the back. He is calm and composed on the ball and favors short passes over long kicks. Additionally, he is adept in one-on-one situations, making him an attractive prospect for top clubs.
With the Euros approaching, Bijlow aims to solidify his position as the Netherlands’ number one goalkeeper. A strong tournament performance could attract more suitors. His reported price of £21 million will not be a problem for the clubs interested in him.
However, if Arsenal are to make a move, they will need to convince Bijlow that he can compete for the number one spot rather than being a backup. This decision will be crucial for Mikel Arteta as he weighs the team’s goalkeeping options.
