Premier League giants Manchester United have reportedly joined the race to sign an FC Barcelona goalkeeper said to be viewed as a possible replacement for Spain international David de Gea.
Read: Barcelona Transfer Plans - 10 Players Who Could Leave
With De Gea's current contract with United set to expire in June 2020 and the two parties yet to reach an agreement regarding a new contract, the former Atletico Madrid shot-stopper will be able to negotiate a free transfer to his next club from January 2020 onwards, unless Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side decide to cash in on the 28-year-old in the current transfer window or get him to agree to an extension.
According to Diario Sport, who cited a report in the Daily Record, United have earmarked Blaugrana shot-stopper Jasper Cillessen to replace De Gea.
The Dutch international, who is believed to be keen on an exit from the Spanish giants in a bid to secure regular first-team football, is contracted to the Camp Nou outfit until June 2021, and while he has a €60 million (R962 million) release clause in his current deal, it is understood his club values him at between €25 million (R403 million) and €30 million (R484 million).
Cillessen, who joined the LaLiga giants from Ajax Amsterdam in 2016, made only four league appearances in the 2018/19 season, and has largely been forced to play second fiddle to club No. 1, Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Portuguese media outlets Record and A Bola recently claimed that Benfica were close to finalising a deal for the Dutchman, but the Primeira Liga giants' reported bids fell some way below Barca's valuation of Cillessen, with Benfica said to have offered only €15 million (R242 million) for the goalkeeper's services.
It is believed the size of any transfer fee will prove the deciding factor as to which club the 30-year-old joins if he does leave Barcelona.
Read: Spain Announce Squad For Euro Qualifiers, Nine Stars Snubbed!
Should United sell De Gea? Would you like to see Cillessen join the Old Trafford club? Have your say in the comments section below.
