EPL: Manchester United look towards Feyenoord’s Justin Bijlow
Manchester United who are in the market for a new goalkeeper, have expressed interest in Feyenoord goalkeeper Justin Bijlow as an alternative to Inter Milan’s Andre Onana.
This is coming amid suggestions the Red Devils could be priced out of a move for Inter Milan shot-stopper Andre Onana despite the club’s burning desire to get the deal over the line.
Although Onana is happy to stay at Inter, there is a huge appetite from Erik ten Hag to bring his former player to the Premier League where he could serve as David de Gea’s long-term replacement.
Talks have so far proven complex with Inter as the Champions League finalists continue to hold firm in transfer negotiations.
United’s director of football operations David Harrison is said to have flown to Ibiza earlier this week to hold face-to-face discussions with Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio. Those with knowledge of negotiations are suggesting United could turn their back on the transfer.
The Athletic reported that Manchester United have made contact to sign Feyenoord’s Justin Bijlow, who could be an alternative target for Onana.
The 25-year-old, who kept 15 clean sheets last season, is viewed as a cheaper alternative to Inter Milan’s Andre Onana, though nothing has advanced regarding a bid.
A fee of £40 million for Onana could prove too steep for Ten Hag’s side as officials are working with a net spend of around £100m for the entire transfer window following Financial Fair Play (FFP) constraints.
They have already agreed to a £60m fee for Chelsea star Mason Mount, which will cut a decent wedge out of that war chest for this summer.
As a result, Bijlow could find himself higher up the list than he may have expected, as United looks to replace the long-serving Spaniard, one of the last players in the dressing room to have won the Premier League at the club.
Bijlow is a current senior international with the Netherlands side, and has eight caps to his name, having also made up part of Louis Van Gaal’s 2022 World Cup squad in Qatar, though he failed to make an appearance.
