Jasper Cillessen agrees move to Benfica but Barcelona holding out for higher transfer fee

Aditya Devavrat 00:34 23/05/2019
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  • Jasper Cillissen.

    Barcelona goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen has reportedly agreed a move to Benfica, with the clubs now negotiating over a fee.

    According to Goal, Benfica value Cillessen at €15million, while Barcelona are holding out for €25million, despite the Netherlands international having made just 10 appearances for La Blaugrana this season, and only 31 since joining on the final day of the summer transfer window in 2016.

    That was the summer Claudio Bravio left Barcelona, but Cillessen has been unable to beat out Marc-Andre ter Stegen for the No 1 spot since then, as the German has developed into one of the world’s best goalkeepers.

    The Dutch international starred at the 2014 World Cup as the Oranje reached the semi-finals, though the most memorable moment involving him at the tournament was when he was substituted for Tim Krul right before a penalty shoot-out in the quarter-final against Costa Rica, with the then-Newcastle keeper saving two spot-kicks to see Netherlands through.

    Cillessen was left in goal for the shoot-out in the semi-final, as Louis van Gaal had used all three of his substitutions in that game, and the Dutch lost to Argentina with the goalkeeper failing to make a single save.

    The former Ajax star has grown frustrated at his lack of playing time at Barcelona, and has been desperate for a transfer since last season.

    If Barcelona and Benfica can agree a transfer fee, he may finally get his wish.

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