Who is Justin Bijlow? Arsenal eye him as a potential replacement for Aaron Ramsdale on Mikel Arteta’s summer radar.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta might be looking to replace the out-of-favor Aaron Ramsdale this summer, even though he previously suggested Ramsdale would stay at the club next season.
Ramsdale lost his No.1 spot to Brentford’s David Raya, who joined on loan, leading to Ramsdale making only three appearances in the last seven months. Back in April, Arteta stated Ramsdale would likely stay, calling it a “big reality” as he is under contract.
Rumors have linked Ramsdale to a potential move to Newcastle United, but Ramsdale dismissed these on social media. Despite this, reports indicate Newcastle might offer around £15 million for Ramsdale with a five-year contract.
With Ramsdale’s departure seeming likely, Arteta and sporting director Edu are considering replacements, with Feyenoord’s Justin Bijlow emerging as a top candidate. Bijlow, 26, has impressed at Feyenoord, keeping 54 clean sheets in 143 appearances. He plays a modern sweeper role, averaging more defensive actions outside the penalty area than Raya and Ramsdale.
Bijlow also outperforms Raya and Ramsdale in stopping crosses and is equal to Raya in shot-creating actions, despite fewer minutes due to injuries. This suggests Arteta might prefer a more dynamic goalkeeper setup. If Raya’s permanent deal doesn’t materialize, Bijlow could be a promising option for the future, though Arsenal will face competition from other Premier League clubs like Liverpool and Manchester United.
Internationally, Bijlow debuted for the Netherlands in September 2021 and has been capped several times, including being part of the 2022 World Cup squad.