Liverpool are reportedly being linked with Barcelona goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen. Cillessen was the backup goalkeeper at Nou Camp this season and the 29 year old Dutch international has had to sit on the bench for the majority of the season.
He started 9 Copa Del Rey matches and was elected ahead of Marc-Andre Ter Stegen in the league only once. He also made one Champions League appearance keeping a clean sheet in the process. The Dutch star kept 8 clean sheets in his 11 games but will definitely be unhappy at not being elected more often.
“I think that I played well in the matches I had in the Copa del Rey,” Cillessen said. “I need to wait patiently. The only thing I know is that Barcelona won’t sell me.”
Latest reports emerging have confirmed that English giants Arsenal and Liverpool are now interested in bringing in the 29-year-old to England. Arsenal need an alternative for their veteran Petr Cech who is ageing fast and Liverpool, well..they need a goalkeeper.
“Arsenal and Liverpool aren’t bad clubs,” said Cillessen. “But if Barcelona say, ‘We love you,’ then I’ll accept their decision and continue there. I’ll wait until we return on July 16 to see what they’ve decided. I don’t know anything. If the club wants to keep me, I’ll accept that. I signed a five-year deal with them.”
Cillessen’s commitment is noteworthy as not every professional accepts sitting on the bench when he might have better offers to play regularly elsewhere. Barcelona has marked the 29-year-old keeper’s release clause at £52m and will not sell him for a penny less, according to reports.
This will mean that whoever ends up landing the Dutch star will have to break the British transfer record for a goalkeeper. Liverpool enjoyed a thrilling season as their new boy Mo Salah took the Premier League by storm and also helped the Reds reach the final of the UEFA Champions League.
However, the Reds were undone in the final by their goalkeeper Loris Karius who made two costly errors. Both his mistakes led to goals leaving Real Madrid victors on the night with a 3-1 scoreline.
Karius has been error-prone all season and hence the Reds will definitely need an upgrade this summer if they are serious about challenging for a trophy next season. Bringing in an exuberant player like Cillessen will shore up the backline to a great extent and Jurgen Klopp should definitely consider the deal even if it costs him £52m.
