Jordy Clasie’s move from Feyenoord to Saints edged closer today, with the clubs understood to have reached an agreement over the midfielder’s transfer.

As reported in this morning's Daily Echo, negotiations had been ongoing for a few days and were close to being settled, with a deal now having been struck.

Reports in the Netherlands have placed the fee at £7m up front, possibly rising to £8.5m, for the 24-year-old Dutch international.

 

Clasie is now expected in Southampton to complete the move.

The switch is expected to be confirmed before the squad heads out to Holland on Friday for the next stage of their pre-season preparations.

Clasie has been Saints’ number-one choice to replace Morgan Schneiderlin, following his transfer to Manchester United this week, and they have moved quickly to press ahead with the deal.

A product of Feyenoord’s youth system, Clasie played under Saints manager Ronald Koeman during his time at De Kuip, twice helping the club to a runner-up finish in the Eredivisie – in 2011/12 and 2013/14.

He has played 155 times for the Dutch side in total, scoring eight goals, and has made 12 senior appearances at international level for the Netherlands.

Two of those came at the 2014 World Cup finals, with Clasie starting in the 3-0 win over hosts Brazil in the third-place play-off match.

Assuming his move is now formalised, Clasie could play against Feyenoord when Saints visit them for a pre-season friendly on Thursday, July 23 – a date when Koeman and striker Graziano Pelle will also return to their former club.

Clasie will follow four other players into St Mary’s this summer, as the club continue building toward the new season.

Spain striker Juanmi was the first addition, signing from Malaga, before being joined by Sporting Lisbon’s Portugal international right-back Cedric Soares, Fulham keeper Maarten Stekelenburg and versatile FC Twente defender Cuco Martina.

Saints do not intend for their business to end with Clasie, with another centre-half, to replace Toby Alderweireld, the other remaining significant need, while they will continue to be open to further opportunities should any good ones present themselves.