Celtic have made a move to find Joe Hart’s replacement by sounding out RKC Waalwijk’s Etienne Vaessen this week.
The 28-year-old goalkeeper is out of contract this summer and according to Dutch outlet Brabants Dagblad, Celtic have ‘concrete interest’ in Vaessen as the Dutchman fights relegation this season.
PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord are also named as a club who are interested but the Eredivisie title contenders are said to be putting off any transfer talk until at least April as they put their full focus on the league run-in.
Interestingly, Vaessen is also said to have an ‘interest’ in a move away from Waalwijk [Daily Record] with a host of clubs all said to hold an interest in the Dutch stopper.
Etienne Vaessen Celtic ‘keeper?
It is obvious that Vaessen is highly rated in the Netherlands. Especially with PSV and Feyenoord holding a solid interest in him.
But is the current captain of Waalwijk a viable option to replace Joe Hart who is retiring at the end of the season?
According to Fotmob, Vaessen has an impressive 71.9% save success this season after making 89 crucial stops this season.
He has conceded 36 so far this season but still ranks as one of the best goalkeepers in the Eredivisie with an average goal-prevention rate of 4.67 per game.
Despite being in a relegation battle, Vaessen has been an important player for Waalwijk this season. What will interest the Celtic fans is that despite being under pressure in a relegation battle, the ‘keeper has not made a single mistake that has led to a goal this season.
Vaessen has also faced four penalties this season and saved just one of them.
The 28-year-old’s distribution is 65% with 197 long ball passes finding their target this season. Again, one of the best in the Eredivisie.
Vaessen is also one of the best performers in the Dutch top flight at commanding his box. He has made 28 high claims this season which is a weakness and a frustration that we felt existed in Joe Hart’s game.
The Dutchman seems like the kind of ‘keeper that Celtic need and looking at his stats, he could be a great acquisition for the club at the end of the season. Especially on a free contract.
Joe Hart has been a massive player for Celtic and is loved by the supporters. He is also a huge leader in the Parkhead dressing room and will be hard to replace.
Vaessen seems to have all those qualities and more and if Celtic do land him then it could be a shrewd piece of business by the club.