Barcelona goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen’s future is up in the air as he gets nearer to the exit door at the Nou Camp. The 29-year-old is keen for playing time and he simply is not getting that at Barca, with German giant Marc-Andre Ter Stegen very much the first-choice goalkeeper.
This has alerted both Chelsea and Liverpool officials to the possibility of signing the Dutch number one. The Reds are after a new first-choice goalkeeper after Loris Karius did nothing to enhance his reputation in the Champions League final whilst Chelsea are looking for consistency between the sticks if Thibaut Courtois does move on to pastures new.
Barcelona do not want to sell their talented number two ‘keeper but they are willing to let him go if they receive a good offer for him with the La Liga champions also interested in Wolfsburg keeper Koen Casteels as his replacement. The club is aware it is difficult to block a move for a player who would go from being a back-up to a starter for another club and this deal could make sense financially for Barca as they look to stamp their authority on European football once again.
Napoli are the other club interested in the keeper as Carlo Ancelotti looks to lead them to the Serie A title. Pepe Reina is expected to leave and this could be a good move for all parties.
With first team football being such a major factor in this deal, this would give Liverpool the advantage as they are ready to offer their number one jersey to any top European goalkeeper. Champions League football is also a factor that puts this deal in Liverpool’s favour. As well as Cillessen, the Reds are also interested in Barca target Timo Horn who at 25 is a younger option who Klopp knows well from his time in the Bundesliga.
A move for Cillessen would set off a chain of Goalkeeper moves as clubs look to have two top keepers heading into the new season. Liverpool, who have already signed Fabinho and Naby Keita this summer, are looking like a force heading into the new Premier League campaign.
