Feyenoord's €5m hunt: Van Bronckhorst targets German keeper

Feyenoord are on the verge of securing German goalkeeper Tjark Ernst, with the Rotterdam club prepared to meet his €5 million release clause. The 23‑year‑old, whose contract runs until the summer of 2027, is being pursued by the new manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst for the upcoming Champions League campaign.

Earlier today Ernst turned down a move to the relegated VfL Wolfsburg, opting to keep his options open. Besides Feyenoord, SC Freiburg, Hamburger SV, FC Augsburg and Celtic have also been linked with the German prospect.

Ernst’s contract, which expires in the summer of 2027, contains a €5 million buy‑out clause. Feyenoord have already lodged an offer and are prepared to activate the clause should personal terms be agreed.

Van Bronckhorst, appointed as Feyenoord’s head coach this season, has expressed a clear intention to have Ernst as his first‑choice goalkeeper in the Champions League. The Dutch club’s European ambitions make securing a reliable shot‑stopper a priority for the Rotterdam side.

Negotiations between Feyenoord and the 23‑year‑old are reported to be in full swing, with the Dutch side ready to meet the €5 million clause. If the parties reach an agreement, Ernst’s arrival could be finalised quickly, turning the ongoing discussions into a completed transfer.

For Feyenoord, adding Ernst would bolster the goalkeeping department ahead of the Champions League fixtures. For the German keeper, the move offers a chance to compete at Europe’s highest club level with a club eager to integrate him into its long‑term plans.