In the ongoing transfer window, Manchester United is reportedly looking into the possibility of acquiring the talented Feyenoord goalkeeper, Justin Bijlow. With David de Gea’s contract officially expired, the Spaniard is now a free agent, leaving only two first-team goalkeepers at Old Trafford: Dean Henderson and Tom Heaton.
However, it is widely anticipated that Henderson will complete a permanent move to Nottingham Forest, leaving Heaton as the backup option, rather than a preferred number one, according to head coach Erik ten Hag.
While Manchester United intends to resume contract discussions with De Gea after the weekend, they are currently engaged in talks with Inter Milan for Andre Onana, implying that De Gea’s return to Old Trafford is unlikely.
Even if Onana joins the club, Manchester United would still require another goalkeeper, potentially as a second-choice option, with Heaton expected to be the third-choice goalkeeper for the upcoming season.
Reportedly, Bijlow has emerged as a genuine target for Manchester United, and head coach Ten Hag holds great admiration for the Netherlands international. Despite Feyenoord’s efforts to retain Bijlow, it may prove challenging for them to resist interest from Manchester United if an official bid is made.
There is speculation that Bijlow could compete for the number one spot with Onana at Old Trafford in the upcoming season. However, it remains uncertain whether Bijlow is willing to sacrifice being a regular first-team player.
Bijlow has been with Feyenoord throughout his career, progressing through the various age groups before making his first-team debut in 2016. Since then, he has made 119 appearances for the Rotterdam club in all competitions, keeping 45 clean sheets.
During the 2022-23 season, Bijlow featured in 34 matches, registering 15 clean sheets. However, he missed some game time due to a broken wrist. With two years remaining on his contract with Feyenoord, the club holds a strong position in any potential negotiations.
Apart from the pursuit of Justin Bijlow, Manchester United is expected to secure the signing of Mason Mount from Chelsea in the following week. Additionally, there have been reports of their interest in Mehdi Taremi, a forward from Porto, as the 20-time English champions continue to bolster their squad for the upcoming season.