Jordy Clasie given medical as Schneiderlin replacement

Jordy Clasie is to undertake a medical at Southampton on Thursday before completing his transfer from Feyenoord for an initial £7m, with the Holland international effectively to replace the departed Morgan Schneiderlin.

The south-coast club’s manager, Ronald Koeman, and his scouting department had long since earmarked Clasie as their priority signing should Schneiderlin leave. The France international completed a £24m move to Manchester United this week, with a further £3m potentially due in add-ons, with Southampton moving swiftly to strengthen.

Clasie had previously thrived under Koeman at Feyenoord, with whom he made 129 Eredivisie appearances, and the midfielder praised his former manager when Koeman departed for the Premier League back in 2014. “He taught me to be a leader and showed me how and when I could put pressure on the ball and the opponent,” he said. “He explained how I could get the best out of myself, tactically. He basically raised me.”

Southampton had always had an informal agreement with Schneiderlin to sanction his sale to a Champions League club if the required fee was met, with replacements pinpointed early. The merits of Giannelli Imbula were considered at Marseille before he moved to Porto on a five-year deal, with Clasie then targeted.

“He’s a good player, a young player and a Dutch international who is ready to make a step up and show his qualities at a higher level than we have in the Dutch league,” said Koeman on his senior players’ return to training this month. “He’s growing in his leadership qualities too and, if Morgan goes, we’ll need a player in that position. He is one of them [on the list of potential replacements].”
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The arrival of the 24-year-old, a graduate of the Feyenoord academy whose move could eventually cost Southampton £8.4m, should be confirmed this week subject to the results of the medical tests.

Koeman’s squad depart for Holland on Friday to continue their preparations for the new campaign and are due to play Feyenoord in a friendly on 23 July, in which Clasie should feature for the Premier League side.

Guardian