Feyenoord under fire as Read’s £25 million exit stalls

Feyenoord faces a pressing need to settle the summer departure of 20‑year‑old right‑back Givairo Read, whose exit was pre‑agreed at €25 million but now hangs over a reshuffled board and a potentially higher price tag. The club must either secure the fee or risk losing a key defensive prospect.

According to the original arrangement, Read had secured permission from Feyenoord to leave for €25 million this summer, a deal that was struck under the previous board. That agreement was documented before the change in senior management.

The board overhaul saw Dennis te Kloese replaced by Robert Eenhoorn and Dévy Rigaux, both of whom sit higher in the club hierarchy. Verweij notes that Read now faces the misfortune of dealing with a new general director and technical director.

Nottingham Forest, the Premier League club interested in the Dutch defender, has tabled a third offer of €22 million and expects a total package of €25 million. "The third bid from Nottingham is €22 million. People in England expect they will be prepared to reach a total package of €25 million," reporter Mike Verweij said in Kick‑off.

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Read has already reached a personal agreement with the English side, but the clubs must still align on the transfer terms. Verweij explains that an agreement between Read and Feyenoord dates back to last winter, when an injury halted a move to Bayern Munich or Newcastle United.

Financially, Verweij warns that Feyenoord would be taking a "gigantic business risk" if they demand €30 million or more for the youngster. He adds, "I think you as Feyenoord must watch out that you do not end up with a heavily demotivated player."

The proposed contract with Nottingham Forest would run for five years and is valued at €20 million plus bonuses. Verweij emphasizes the player's desire: "Can you tell a 20‑year‑old who really wants to play in the Premier League that we will not pay €25 million? He arrived for free, yet we now want thirty million."

The English club still needs to finalize the deal with Feyenoord, and the Dutch side must ensure all paperwork is correctly recorded. Verweij hopes the new board will have the agreement properly documented before the transfer window closes.