Raatsie’s move hangs by a thread after NAC Breda deal collapses

Calvin Raatsie’s summer exit from Excelsior is now imminent after talks with NAC Breda collapsed. The 24-year-old goalkeeper has drawn interest from clubs in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie, and the Rotterdam-based club is prepared to facilitate a transfer.

According to the report, Raatsie’s departure is only a matter of time. He had retained his status as Excelsior’s first-choice goalkeeper following the club’s promotion, but lost that position after Stijn van Gassel returned from injury. Van Gassel impressed last season in the Eredivisie and has since kept his place in goal.

NAC Breda had been in advanced discussions with Excelsior over Raatsie, with a proposed swap deal involving Roy Kortsmit also on the table. That arrangement ultimately fell through, though the report notes it cannot be ruled out that the Kralingers may still pursue Kortsmit once Raatsie is moved elsewhere. For NAC, Raatsie was seen as a strong candidate to challenge Daniel Bielica, who has faced internal criticism. The Bredase club was also explicitly seeking a Dutch-profile goalkeeper.

While the move to NAC Breda is off for now, Raatsie appears set to leave Excelsior this summer. VVV-Venlo has already expressed interest, and several other Keuken Kampioen Divisie clubs are monitoring the former Ajax-keeper and former Netherlands youth international.