Desperate Measures: Van Persie Seeks Elyounoussi to Save Feyenoord’s Summer
In what is shaping up to be one of the most tense and unpredictable transfer windows in Feyenoord’s recent history, head coach Robin van Persie has reportedly identified Norwegian international Mohamed Elyounoussi as a crucial late-window target — a player who, in Van Persie’s own words behind closed doors, could “stabilize the storm.” With just weeks before the 2025–26 Eredivisie season kicks off, and with key departures leaving gaping holes in the squad, Feyenoord finds itself in a fragile and precarious position — one where immediate reinforcements are no longer a luxury, but a necessity.
The drama unfolding at De Kuip this summer is far from the carefully scripted plans the club envisioned when Van Persie took over from Brian Priske. Appointed as a symbolic bridge between Feyenoord’s storied past and an ambitious future, Van Persie brought a renewed sense of optimism to the club — a feeling that the legends who once graced the pitch might now shape the identity of the club from the touchline. And for a time, that optimism felt justified. Feyenoord finished the previous season strong, securing a Champions League qualifying spot, and Van Persie’s training sessions — marked by intensity, clarity, and tactical discipline — were earning rave reviews.
But football rarely follows fairy-tale scripts. Over the course of the summer, Feyenoord’s transfer campaign began to unravel. First came the departure of Yankuba Minteh, whose dazzling runs and explosive pace had given Feyenoord a direct attacking edge down the right flank. Then came the long-anticipated exit of Igor Paixão, the Brazilian winger whose flair and unpredictability made him a fan favorite and a tactical asset. Despite efforts to keep him in Rotterdam, a lucrative offer from a Bundesliga side proved too tempting for both player and club. Then came the silence — failed negotiations, agents stalling, and targets slipping away just when they seemed within reach.
Van Persie, calm but visibly more withdrawn in recent weeks, has been forced into a corner. A student of the game, he understands as well as anyone that building a cohesive team is not just about tactics and formations — it’s about having the right profiles, the right personalities, and the right experience to weather adversity. And it’s in this context that Mohamed Elyounoussi has suddenly emerged as more than just a transfer rumor. He’s become a symbol of urgency — a potential solution to problems that are threatening to derail Feyenoord’s season before a single ball has even been kicked.
At first glance, Elyounoussi might not seem like a marquee signing. At 31, his best years — at least in terms of raw explosiveness — may be behind him. But speak to those who have played with or coached him, and a different picture emerges. This is a player of intelligence, discipline, and remarkable professionalism. From his breakout years at FC Basel to his turbulent but educational stint in the Premier League with Southampton, Elyounoussi has shown time and again that he is not merely a winger who hugs the touchline — he is a modern footballer who reads the game, presses with intent, and works tirelessly for the team.
Currently at FC Copenhagen, Elyounoussi remains a key figure in the Danish side’s domestic campaigns and European adventures. However, rumors have swirled that the player is open to a new challenge, especially one that offers regular football and a central role. Feyenoord, with its wounded pride and immediate need for leadership in the final third, could provide just that.
Sources close to the player have hinted at informal contact between Feyenoord’s technical staff and Elyounoussi’s representatives. But what is most striking is Van Persie’s own direct involvement. Unlike most head coaches who prefer to stay detached from negotiations, Van Persie is said to be actively pushing behind the scenes. He’s made phone calls. He’s asked for scouting reports. And he has, reportedly, told the club’s top brass in no uncertain terms: “This is a player we need. Now.”
Why such desperation? The answer lies not just in Elyounoussi’s qualities, but in what Feyenoord lacks. In preseason, Van Persie has tried everything — 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1, even an experimental 3-4-3. But no matter the formation, the same pattern has emerged: a glaring lack of composure and creativity in wide areas. The youngsters promoted from the academy show promise, but they lack experience. The signings made thus far have yet to adapt to the pace and expectations of Dutch football. And with a critical Champions League qualifier looming, Van Persie knows that the clock is ticking.
Elyounoussi offers more than just a tactical fix — he brings composure in the final third, maturity off the pitch, and a rare versatility that allows him to slot into various roles. Left wing? No problem. Inside forward? He’s done it. Attacking midfield? He’s capable. Defensive winger in a pressing system? He thrives in it. And perhaps most importantly for Van Persie, Elyounoussi is coachable — a player who understands structure, obeys instructions, and sets an example in training.
Still, bringing him to Rotterdam will not be easy. Copenhagen is not eager to lose one of its experienced players, and while Elyounoussi’s contract situation makes negotiations feasible, the financial package must be right. Feyenoord cannot afford to get into bidding wars — not this summer. Every euro counts, and every signing must deliver immediately.
And yet, the sense of urgency is palpable. Behind the scenes, meetings are running longer. Technical director Dennis te Kloese is reportedly working overtime. There is a growing awareness within the club that failure to reinforce the squad now could have catastrophic consequences — both on the pitch and in the stands.
The fans, loyal but unforgiving, have already begun to voice their concerns. Social media is flooded with questions: Where is the ambition? Why haven’t we replaced Minteh and Paixão? How can we compete with Ajax and PSV when we lose players and fail to replace them? Van Persie, still beloved for his heroics as a player, knows that goodwill has limits. Results will matter. Performances will be scrutinized. And in the high-pressure cauldron of Rotterdam, patience is always in short supply.
For Elyounoussi himself, the potential move represents a unique opportunity. A chance to play in one of Europe’s most intense footballing environments. A chance to lead again. And a chance, perhaps, to write a final meaningful chapter in a career that has had its fair share of highs and lows. He has never shied away from big stages. He has played Champions League football. He has carried the burden of being a marquee signing. And he knows what it means to play with pressure.
Feyenoord may not offer the glamor of London or the security of Copenhagen, but it offers something rarer: relevance. Meaning. A club where passion drives everything, and where success is not just measured in trophies, but in the roar of De Kuip on a Sunday afternoon.
If the deal goes through — and at this point, the momentum is building — it will be more than just a transfer. It will be a statement. That Van Persie is not here to experiment. That Feyenoord refuses to be left behind. And that in times of crisis, the club is still capable of decisive, calculated action.
Football, as always, offers no guarantees. Elyounoussi could flop. The team could still struggle. The rebuild could take longer than anyone hoped. But in the harsh, often chaotic world of elite sport, sometimes bold moves are what separate survival from collapse.
Desperate measures are never ideal. But sometimes, they are necessary. And in Robin van Persie’s search for stability, leadership, and attacking reliability, Mohamed Elyounoussi may just be the answer Feyenoord didn’t know it needed — until now.
Whether or not the move materializes in the coming days, one thing is certain: Feyenoord’s summer is reaching its breaking point. And if the club hopes to emerge from it stronger, rather than shattered, then bold, swift action is the only way forward. Van Persie knows it. The fans know it. And somewhere in Copenhagen, perhaps Elyounoussi feels it too.
As the clock ticks and the pressure rises, one question looms larger than the rest: Will Feyenoord make the move in time — or will desperation give way to regret?
All eyes are now on De Kuip.
