Go Ahead Eagles defender Jay Idzes is close to signing for Aberdeen as the Dons hone in on a pre-contract deal.
The Pittodrie side had hoped to land the centre-back for a six-figure deal this month but the Dutch team have stood firm and an agreement hasn't been reached. But the 22-year-old is out of contract in six months time and Jim Goodwin and co have decided to pursue a pre-contract deal instead. However, Goodwin's future as boss is now in serious doubt after a shock Scottish Cup fourth round defeat to Darvel
Due to his age Aberdeen would still need to pay around £180,000 in training compensation come the summer. Dutch sources have confirmed he wants to make the move to the Scottish Premiership and it is now expected to go ahead in the summer instead and if the Dons can strike a pre-contract agreement then it could put pressure on the Dutch side to sell now rather than wait until the end of the campaign.
Go Ahead Eagles, though, have made it clear that their priority is maintaining their Dutch top-flight status and keeping hold of Idzes, who signed from FC Eindhoven in 2020, could be a key part of that. Their sporting director Paul Bosvelt has made it clear that every player has their prize but nobody has even come close to their valuation.
Bosvelt has also made it clear that they would rather lose Idzes in the summer than put their top-flight status at risk by taking a lowball offer. Bosvelt, speaking to Destentor.nl, said: “Amounts offered are not yet such that Jay Idzes can leave Go Ahead Eagles.
“Through Jay’s agent some clubs have shown an interest in him but there are no cases where we are at the stage where we are thinking about it seriously. Maintaining our place in the Eredivisie is the most important thing for us and Jay is important in that.
“I know everyone is ultimately for sale, but the amount we may receive must be in proportion to what we hand over in terms of quality. Staying in the Eredivisie is much more important to us than getting a relatively small fee for Jay.”
Dons manager Jim Goodwin is looking to add a defender and a striker before the close of the January window. Idzes, 22, is one of their top defensive priorities, although they have other options, including Sunderland’s Bailey Wright, who is also wanted by Hibs and Derby County.
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