The chance is becoming smaller that Mathew Ryan will also be under the bar at AZ next season, he writes The Telegraph. The Australian goalkeeper has already rejected two contract offers and will be transfer-free next Monday, July 1. The 32-year-old Ryan can continue his career at Derby County and seems to be leaving AZ behind him for good.

According to the morning newspaper, Ryan, a 92-time Australian international, is sitting in a chair. “By stating that he is not unwilling to accept a new contract, Ryan gave AZ-td Max Huiberts cautious hope. Or is the Aussie playing a game? Ryan has already received two contract proposals and allowed just as many deadlines to pass. Derby County, back in the English Championship, have laid out the red carpet for the ex-Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal goalkeeper.”

AZ has another experienced goalkeeper under contract with Hobie Verhulst (31), but he certainly does not seem suitable as the first goalkeeper. Peter Vindahl (26) is permanently leaving for Sparta Prague. AZ will receive around 1.5 million euros for him.

With Sem Westerveld (21), Daniël Deen (21), Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro (19) and Tristan Kuijsten (19), there are a number of young goalkeepers ready, but journalist Steven Kooijman thinks that AZ does not yet dare to go with these names .

Premier League goalkeepers

Kooijman states that the solution for AZ is closer than it seems. “The club does not have to look across the border, because there are plenty of skilled goalies in the Eredivisie, where the goalkeeper tombola is starting to become a thing of the past. For example, Nick Olij (Sparta) and Jeffrey de Lange (Go Ahead Eagles) would not be out of place at AZ.”

According to Kooijman, Olij is on the (too) expensive side for AZ. The 28-year-old goalkeeper should earn Sparta about 4 million euros. De Lange would be a cheaper option, as his price tag is around 1.5 million euros.

The journalist concludes that AZ would prefer to continue with Ryan for another year, and then move on to Westerveld or Owusu-Oduro as the first goalkeeper. The latter already scored seven times in AZ 1 last season.

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