Arsenal 'to compete with Liverpool' for Arne Slot favourite
- Arsenal tipped to bid for Feyenoord goalkeeper Justin Bijlow
- Gunners searching for replacement for Aaron Ramsdale ahead of likely summer exit
- Liverpool also tipped to move for Bijlow
By Tom Gott
Arsenal are considering a move to rival Liverpool for Feyenoord goalkeeper Justin Bijlow as they seek a replacement for Aaron Ramsdale, a report has claimed.
Having lost his place in the starting lineup to David Raya, whose loan from Brentford is soon to be made permanent, Ramsdale is expected to consider his options this summer and was recently linked with Newcastle United.
With Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta keen to keep two high-level goalkeepers in his squad, The Telegraph state that Feyenoord stopper Bijlow has played his way on to the radar.
Bijlow, 26, came through the Feyenoord youth academy and made 93 appearances under Arne Slot, who has swapped the Dutch side for Liverpool this summer. De Telegraaf, who first revealed Arsenal's interest, even suggest Bijlow could follow Slot to Anfield.
Liverpool are said to have scouted Bijlow even before they had any interest in Slot, aware that they may soon need their own new goalkeeper if backup option Caoimhin Kelleher leaves in search of first-team football.
A specific price tag for Bijlow is not mentioned but the Dutch outlet stress it will be "significantly" below the £21m demanded by Feyenoord during talks with Manchester United last summer.
Kelleher, Ramsdale and Bijlow are all approaching the final two years of their respective contracts, meaning their values will begin to tumble if they are not sold this summer.
It is expected that both Kelleher and Ramsdale will be on the move in the coming months in search of more action. The former has operated as cover for Alisson in recent years and has just 15 Premier League appearances to his name at 25 years old, while Ramsdale was benched early on last year and only returned to the starting lineup when Raya was ineligible to face parent side Brentford.
The pair are expected to have several suitors in the Premier League, although Ramsdale recently laughed off reports that he had already agreed to join Newcastle.
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