Quickly following the failed transfer, Southampton snapped up Ramsdale from Arsenal for £25million on a four-year contract with an option for an extra year. This swift action didn’t go unnoticed by Feyenoord, and Te Kloese commented on the situation candidly to ESPN Netherlands.
“It is quite a coincidence that a club has Aaron Ramsdale ready for £25m and a five-year contract five minutes after they told us that he would not pass the medical,” he said, sceptical of the rapid developments.
“I don’t think you can organise that in five minutes,” Te Kloese added, casting further doubt on the Series A club’s explanation. Meanwhile, goalkeep Bijlow, aged 26, was seemingly aggrieved by Southampton’s decision based on past injuries but chose a more diplomatic tone when addressing the matter publicly.
In a statement on the official Feyenoord website, Bijlow explained: “Dear Feyenoorders, I was on my way to the Premier League. After a very special day last Sunday, for which I am very grateful, I was preparing for departure from Feyenoord. “I didn’t find that easy and it wasn’t my first choice, but it had to be for the sake of my career.
“The medical examination has shown that Southampton has a different vision than Feyenoord on how to treat an old injury. I’m fully fit and this doesn’t bother me, but I respect the vision of Southampton medical staff.”
Bijlow added: “This is why I return to Rotterdam, to my club Feyenoord. My bond with the city and the club is iron strong. I keep fighting for a place in the goal of Feyenoord and the Dutch national team. Feyenoorders, thank you for the support you always give me.”
It was a case of one goalkeeper in and one out for the Saints, though, as England international Aaron Ramsdale went straight into Russell Martin’s team for the trip to Brentford. “It was a massive signing for the club, character wise, ability wise,” Martin enthused after the game, before adding: “Alex [McCarthy] has taken it incredibly well, as I thought he would because of the character he is and the brilliant teammate, brilliant person he is.”
“It just wasn’t easy. It’s never easy to take people off, to leave them out of the squad, to not play them, it’s the most difficult part of the job. So to make that decision wasn’t easy, but the way Alex has done it and supported Aaron, and Joe Lumley as well, because it’s changed his position a little bit.”
“But Rambo is going to help us hugely, you could see that today. He stuck at it after one training session and the lads are trying so hard, they’re giving everything, they’re fighting, so it’s not for a lack of that and he will add to that hugely.”