Liverpool transfers: Feyenoord No.1 Justin Bijlow tipped for Arne Slot reunion

Liverpool will battle Arsenal for Arne Slot’s former Feyenoord goalkeeper Justin Bijlow this summer according to a fresh report in The Netherlands. 

De Telegraaf states that Liverpool’s interest in the 26-year-old predates Slot’s appointment and that club staff have scouted the Dutch international on numerous occasions over the course of the past season. 

Bijlow played four times in the Champions League last season - against Lazio twice, Atletico Madrid and Celtic - and is reported to have been watched by Liverpool and Arsenal scouts. 

The report states that Arsenal are in the market for a No.2 goalkeeper to challenge first-choice David Raya, with it expected that Aaron Ramsdale will leave the club this summer. 

Liverpool, meanwhile, are set for significant goalkeeping uncertainty this summer with long-term coach John Achterberg leaving the club alongside his deputy Jack Robinson. 

Claudio Taffarel will remain with the Reds, to work with compatriot Alisson Becker, but there is transfer talk around ALL THREE of Liverpool’s main goalkeepers. 

Alisson, 31, is known to be open to a move to Saudi Arabia and back-up keeper Caoimhin Kelleher would like to be a No.1 at another club. 

Third-choice Adrian San Miguel is expected to depart for LaLiga after his contract expires. 

Bijlow was on the list of candidates to replace David de Gea for Manchester United last summer but Feyenoord managed to stave off Erik ten Hag’s interest in their No.1. 

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s assistant is the former Feyenoord player Albert Stuivenberg and it is believed that he is the one who has recommended Bijlow for the Arsenal spot. 

Bijlow, a homegrown Feyenoord player, has established himself as Ronald Koeman’s first pick in The Netherlands’ lineup but he missed the March internationals with injury. 

Bijlow pays tribute to Arne Slot

It’s been an injury-hit campaign for the shot-stopper, who only managed 17 Eredivisie appearances due to a wrist fracture and a calf injury. He was only among the substitutes as Slot’s side beat NEC for the KNVB Beker (Dutch cup) recently. 

However he is expected to be No.1 for the Oranje at Euro 2024 having been named in the preliminary squad last week alongside Liverpool players Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch. 

United were quoted €25 million for the goalkeeper last year but De Telegraaf reports the fee could well be lower this time around. 

He is under contract until 2026, having made his first-team debut back in 2017, and could be picked up for a bargain fee. 

Bijlow paid tribute to Slot last month after it was announced that the head coach would be heading to Anfield. 

“When the coach came, we had a completely different philosophy at the club,” he told reporters. “Playing football from the back was not our thing. The professionalism, and everything surrounding it, has improved a lot. The trainer played a large part in that.”