If true, this would be one significant move and potentially a key domino in this summer’s transfer activity – Spanish outlet El Confidencial claim that Manchester United have already signed Ajax goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen.
It is suggested that the deal is so far advanced that Cillessen is openly telling his team-mates although he continues to play in Holland while United continue their negotiations with Real Madrid.
Theoretically, not much would have changed with this news – United and Ajax may well have simply agreed a deal which could take place in one or twelve months time. It wouldn’t be a surprise as United seem in complete control of the situation; it would, in fact, be unusual for the Reds to not have a contingency plan in place should Sergio Ramos formally request a transfer from Real Madrid.
That may be the only way for the defender to leave the Spanish giants as they are in no rush to sell nor acquiesce to giving the defender a new contract. Further, Florentino Perez does not wish to lose any face in this saga and new manager Rafa Benitez felt confident enough overnight to say that Ramos will ‘100%’ be with Real Madrid next season.
If United have agreed a move then one might suggest that a number of huge transfers are to follow.
The name of Cillessen may be a surprise to some but following Louis van Gaal’s recent history it makes perfect sense. Victor Valdes was brought in as someone he had previously worked with; likewise, Sergio Romero, had been Van Gaal’s keeper in Holland at AZ.
Cillessen was given his international debut by Louis van Gaal in 2013 and was handed the number one shirt for Holland in the 2014 World Cup. He has won 21 caps for his country and won the ‘Gilette’ player of the year for 2014. It is unlikely, if he does indeed sign at United, that he will be arriving as second choice.