Russell Martin aims to address Southampton’s goalkeeper issues by pursuing a transfer for Feyenoord’s Justin Bijlow.
In Martin’s system, the goalkeeper plays a vital role, not only in safeguarding the net but also in participating in the team’s buildup play from the back.
Since Martin’s appointment at Southampton last summer, Gavin Bazunu has been the clear first choice, thanks to his adeptness with the ball. However, an Achilles injury in April sidelined Bazunu until 2025, leading to Alex McCarthy taking over for the rest of the season.
An upgrade was anticipated as a priority this summer, but so far, it hasn’t happened. McCarthy’s shortcomings with the ball became particularly apparent in a harsh way when his mistake led to a 1-0 defeat against ten-man Newcastle United on the opening day.
Southampton set to sign Justin Bijlow to replace Alex McCarthy
McCarthy’s error only reinforced fans’ concerns, as his pre-season performances had already highlighted his difficulties with distribution.
While Martin has publicly refrained from criticizing McCarthy, the mistake has accelerated Southampton’s pursuit of a new goalkeeper.
Names like Jason Steele and Aaron Ramsdale have been linked with the club this summer, but it appears Southampton are now leading the race to sign Justin Bijlow from Feyenoord for around £10 million.
Bijlow, who has played under new Liverpool manager Arne Slot at Feyenoord, is known for his composure with the ball and should offer a significant improvement over the current options. The fact that the deal is permanent, as opposed to a likely loan for Ramsdale, suggests the position could be solidified for years to come.
Russell Martin has one cause for concern in signing Bijlow
Bijlow has attracted interest from Arsenal this summer as a potential replacement for Ramsdale, and Manchester United and Liverpool have also been linked with him.
Despite playing a crucial role in Feyenoord’s Eredivisie title win in 2022/23 and being a regular for the Netherlands, Bijlow has been surprisingly demoted to second-choice by new coach Brian Priske.
If Southampton can secure his signature, it could be a significant achievement at a relatively modest price, especially considering Bijlow is only 26. However, there is a concern regarding his injury history.
According to Transfermarkt, Bijlow has missed a staggering 704 days due to injuries since 2018. His injury issues include a fractured wrist, foot surgery, groin problems, and injuries to his knees and toes.
Such frequent injuries are unusual for a goalkeeper and could be a major concern for Southampton as they consider signing him. While he is undoubtedly talented, the team would be at a disadvantage if he continues to face regular absences.
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