If you followed Sport Witness over the summer, you’ll be fully aware of Crystal Palace’s and Newcastle’s attempts to sign PSV goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet.
Both sides were keen to replace their current starters with a better shot stopper, and with Frank de Boer in charge, it wasn’t surprising to see the Eagles look in Holland for their man.
Bids of around €10m were said to have been made, even if PSV denied them, and the Eredvisie side stood firm with their high asking price, despite the player’s desire to move to the Premier League.
The then Crystal Palace manager has since been sacked, while Rafa Benitez seems to be doing OK with the personnel at his disposal for now.
Over in Holland, Jeroen Zoet was said to still be wanting out of PSV by Eindhoven Dagblad a week ago, yet his manager, Philip Cocu, seems to think very differently.
Ahead of the game against Utrecht, which ended 7-1 in the goalkeeper’s club’s favour, the manager explained the 26-year-old had put the Crystal Palace and Newcastle transfer rumours behind him.
He was relayed by De Telegraaf as saying: “When Jeroen knew he would stay, things quickly changed. Then you ask the question: What must you do to still develop and take the next step?
“To have a top year at PSV and compete with the Dutch team. I think this is the right time for him to step forward”.
It’s fair to say that, looking at Crystal Palace’s start to the season, Zoet might have dodged a bullet by staying at PSV for the current campaign.
With the Eredvisie side currently top of their league after six games, and Zoet playing very well, a transfer to St James’ Park next summer (or even in January) could still be on the cards, depending on Newcastle’s needs.
As for a move to Selhurst Park, unless things change drastically in the next few months, we find it hard to believe the goalkeeper will now want to leave a club en route for a trophy to battle against relegation to the Championship.
