Arne Slot expects difficult transfer window for Feyenoord

Arne Slot has hinted Feyenoord will be in for a tough transfer window this month as the head coach looks to bolster his squad who are sitting top of the Eredivisie, Voetbal International reports.

The title race remains close with five clubs separated by just four points with FC Twente the only top five side picking up all three points in their first match back since the World Cup.

Feyenoord salvaged a point against FC Utrecht, who went into the match with a five match winning run in all competitions, thanks to Alireza Jahanbakhsh with a dramatic late equaliser to cancel out Jens Toornstra’s opener in the third minute of the match.

Speaking after the match, Slot has made it clear that the club are looking in the market especially with Gernot Trauner and Quinten Timber continuing their long-spell out on the sidelines but insists it is easier said than done.

“Of course we, myself and the club, think we should have players,” he said.

“Also because Trauner and Timber have been out for a long time. We just started a year and a half ago to make the selection narrower from a financial point of view and that has not changed. We are the leader and we have ambition, but we cannot yet make the same choices as an average leader does with two injured players.

“We have to do it with policy. If you get [Sebastien] Haller, [Brian] Brobbey or Joey Veerman during the winter break, it will have a serious impact on the second half of the season.”

The head coach has not ruled out that his squad players sitting on the fringes may get their chance but with the title race hotting up recruitment will be needed.

“It is true that we have excellent replacements at the moment. But if they are better than the injured players, I have made the wrong choices for six months. Maybe now they will have time to get better. But yes, it is important that we bring in players.”

However, Slot wants to avoid history repeating itself in the form of loan signing Lucas Pratto who came in hoping to push the club further in the title but only featured seven times in the league and failing to score during his time at De Kuip.

“On the other hand, Feyenoord was second once when Dick Advocaat asked for a player and Lucas Pratto got it. That didn’t lead to much enthusiasm.” 

GBeNeFN | Tom Phillips

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