Scherpen Left Out of Friendly as Deal Moves Closer
Saturday, 25th Jul 2026 22:57

Town and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise are moving closer to a deal which would see Dutch keeper Kjell Scherpen join the Blues.

Scherpen has been a Town target all summer with an offer understood to have been €8 million (£6.8 million) turned down by the Belgian club just over a week ago.

According to Voetbal Primeur, Union SG were demanding a €15 million (£12.8 million) fee, in part as Scherpen’s former side Brighton - their sister club - are due 40 per cent of the profit made on the €2 million (£1.7 million) paid for him last summer.

It’s reported that Town won’t be paying a fee as large as that but that the two parties are getting closer to an agreement which would see 6ft 9in tall Scherpen move to Portman Road.

The 26-year-old was left out of his side’s 2-1 friendly victory over Lille today, an indication of the progress being made.

Emmen-born Scherpen had been with Brighton for four years until last summer’s switch, spending spells on loan at Oostende, Vitesse and Sturm Graz, and making one senior appearance for the Seagulls in the FA Cup.

Scherpen, who was capped by the Netherlands at U19 and U21 levels, enjoyed an impressive 2025/26 as his side finished second in the Belgian Pro League and won the Belgian Cup.

If the deal is completed, Scherpen will come in as Town’s number one ahead of the club’s current keepers and fellow Dutchman Kayne van Oevelen, who signed from Volendam earlier in the week and started this morning's 0-0 draw with FC Cartagena.

Photo: BELGA via Reuters Connect

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timkatieadamitfc added 23:25 - Jul 25

I know nothing about this chap but is he any better than Walton?
Feel sorry for CW,as last time in prem he did nothing wrong against Liverpool and was then just dropped for Muric, which turned out well.
Won golden gloves in L1 promotion and then did not play due to injury for whole season( had he not got injured he would have played that championship season imo as he was no 1) now after an outstanding season in another promotion winning season he looks set to be dropped again, personally I’d rather stick with what we have and invest in areas which need addressing more urgently- RB, CM x2 and another CF.

Vanisleblue2 added 23:38 - Jul 25

I am based in Canada and keep up to date every single day and watch highlights of every game.
I have a question because I think I am more loyal to players who have got us promoted than some people.
1. I know Walton and Palmer are good goalkeepers why do we need two more and push them out? That would mean Button, and Palmer are def leaving to keep squad numbers to the max allowed
2. I see people are saying we need RB, CM and striker (including the gentleman above)
I would think Furlong is capable and Johnson a decent back up? Will they both be sold? Or one?
3. Surely Matusiwa is a great option for CM? That just leaves Taylor so yes I would strengthen there
4. Daizen, Hirst, Emmerson. Will O'Neil play one or 2 strikers as a rule?

trevski_s added 23:45 - Jul 25

Agreed @timkatieadamitfc, I would love for Walton to get a go in the Prem this time round especially if he has a solid defence in front of him. Outstanding in league 1, last season in the Champ and played really well against Liverpool in the opening game and also knows how to command his defence (a big flaw of Muric)

I did find this video and he looks promising and imposing but minor issue (just from that video) is he tends to use his legs and arms more. Thats not necessarily a bad thing as it works well to really make the opposition try close down and get around the goalkeeper (which he seems good at stopping) and he seems to know when to come out or stay back. Working with Rene might also change his keeping style too. Promising is that he played pretty much all last season and only conceded 27 goals (I know the Belgian league is not the Premier League)

racingblue added 23:45 - Jul 25 2 comments above scared of progress is exactly the issue. Look where sentiment got us last time. Sunderland showed no room for sentiment and it worked out for them.
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bucket99 added 23:49 - Jul 25 I agree about the haste in replacing the existing keepers, not really sure what the idea is there. I think Darnell Furlong had a great season, though, I don't think he needs to be replaced. He was a close second to Azor in my thinking for player of the year, and never let us down. Great value too.
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ITFCSG added 23:50 - Jul 25 @racingblue there are many areas that are in way more urgent need of upgrade than the GK. An experienced ST. CM. RB. LB. Club should prioritise - we don't have unlimited cash to burn.
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armchaircritic59 added 23:54 - Jul 25

If things that have been circulating are true ( rumour of course ) we won't have to consider CW for quite some time. I guess it paves the way for Scherpen to grab the jersey assuming the deal is done, which would make CW one extremely unlucky fella if it comes to be. Never be scared of progress as racingblue suggests above either. Taken to the extreme, we'd still be living in caves bashing each other over the head with clubs if we were.

trevski_s added 00:00 - Jul 26

I know Walton wasnt at the training camp due to injury so it could also be a factor that when he returned for pre-season the medical team found an issue that means he could be out for some time and thats why all of a sudden we were linked with every keeper under the sun. I really hope that isnt the case though

No matter who comes through the doors though we should always make them welcome, we have done some outstanding deals this transfer window so far and im sure Scherpen will also be another one (plus our Dutch signings always seem to be gems)

timkatieadamitfc added 00:03 - Jul 26 @buckett99 I agree with you about Darnell last year wholeheartedly. All I’ll say though is, the difference between championship and prem is vast, as we found out last time!
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churchmans added 00:44 - Jul 26

CW has been outstanding for us! He was great in the opening prem games and outstanding against liverpool then got dropped for muric who was dogchit!
This keeper we are going for has no prem experience and the belgium leauge is not up to the level of the championdhip,so his stats must be unreal to replace walton as our no1! But we must trust the recruitment team! But we will see i guess! Comoetition at prem level is fierce and so it should be if we want to stay up and kick on

Benji1611 added 02:32 - Jul 26 Passion is great for the dressing room. Jack Taylor is my favourite player because of how clearly he cares for the club. But he's not a starting quality Prem player. Even Leif needs good competition at least. CW is an icon in my eyes, and him being a backup who cares and gets it is so valuable. Uppa Towen!
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PhuketPete added 02:56 - Jul 26

Since June there’s been more talk re GK’s than most of us would have expected back in early May. So I wonder if CW’s injury dates back further than we think? Noting his last foot injury took months to heal. It’s possible therefore that the focus on Kjell is driven as much by pragmatism re CW’s fitness as by a desire to upgrade. In the background the plan may have been to move Palmer on but with CW’s injury that may now be less likely esp as it’s confirmed Button won’t be registered.

But as in all things we’ll only find out once the window closes and GON’s preferences become clearer

jas0999 added 05:31 - Jul 26

Interesting comments above. People really need to be less sentimental. TWTD continue to confirm Button will stay on at the club but won’t be registered, so why some-folk are suggesting he will move on is odd. Palmer very likely to move on. Walton is injured. He’s also not a PL keeper. I read above that he won the golden gloves on League One … we will be playing in the PL and need an excellent keeper. Walton if fit, is an able back up. The new Dutch keeper is likely third choice or will go out on loan.

Vic added 07:33 - Jul 26 Planter Facilitus can be recurring. If CW's has returned then he'll be out for several weeks/months.
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bigolconnor added 07:42 - Jul 26 That highlights reel shows an excellent shotstopper but if he keeps the ball in play that much in the prem a lot of teams will score against us on the second or third attempt
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OohArrPaulGoddard added 08:21 - Jul 26 I have seen him a number of times on the tv for Celtic and he is happy to run and run which is just what we need if we are not getting much of the ball this season. A really exciting addition
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Ipswichbusiness added 08:24 - Jul 26 Odd that things seem to have gone quiet on the Nick Pope front. I would have thought that he would have been one of the easier deals to do.
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Linkboy13 added 08:51 - Jul 26 Dispite Pope's affection for Ipswich town his wage demands might be the reason he won't be making the move to Portman road.
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Bazza8564 added 08:57 - Jul 26

Im not sure what CW's injury actually is, but he didnt travel, was wearing a boot 10 days ago and "months" was the prognosis from what I heard then. Palmer also didnt travel, hasnt been seen in any of the promo pics for the kits, nor any training videos, and with the talk of him moving on anyway, draw your own conclusions.....

GK for me was always going to be an area we would look to strengthen. I believe the plan long term will be to revert to using CW an a back up, but with both Dutch lads coming in we have enough cover to get us started.

I absolutely agree with the no sentiment comments too, we were weak last time out on the GK position, and although CW had a good season last year, thats not enough for me either to think thats PL standard. We have to be ruthless, especially after last time

PortmanTerrorist added 09:06 - Jul 26 CW is bordering on legend status and a successful premier League campaign world put him amongst our top 5 keepers every. But agree no sentiment. But I passionately believe no one should be GIVEN the shirt. Think that was a failing last time around. Anyone starting should have earned the shirt in games or training....and not based on fee.
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55015Deltic added 09:08 - Jul 26 We do not need a Keeper Ashton, are we not learning from Muric? For heavens sake play Walton & Palmer it makes no difference. No Town fan can support this..
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 09:33 - Jul 26 Deltic - we do if CW is out for a long time . And are you saying we should never sign another keeper cos the Muric deal didnt work?
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Bazza8564 added 09:46 - Jul 26

For perspective, 2 years ago in the PL Waltons save % was 51, Palmers 63, and Muric 74 and Muric was slated as the worst Town Keeper ever.

Walton is long term injured and Palmer is leaving what choice do we have?

Kjell Scherpen had a save % of 74% last season and kept 17 clean sheets, the league's highest. He also played in the Champions league.

Facts don't lie, you can't win the shirt if the two other contenders are neither here nor fit.

Open and shut case for me, just as Maeda for Mehmeti, Fatawu for McAteer, Emersonn and whoever else comes as CF for Hirst. Improve or fail, simple as

Bluedocker added 09:56 - Jul 26 Vanisleblue2 we do have o'shea who can play at R/B he plays well there for Ireland
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AndySav04 added 10:07 - Jul 26 Bazza8564...so true Bazza. Waltons back and possibly better, but then he's up against an existing 300 or so PL players from the 24/25 season to another 300 new ones for this season. All being rotated in/out of this campaign...THATS enough reason for a fresh face or two...to deal with the coming onslaught towards our GOAL...
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