Reports: Liverpool 'in talks' with Barcelona star

What’s the story?

Liverpool have begun talks with Barcelona for Jasper Cillessen as per reports in Mundo Deportivo. The 29-year-old goalkeeper is also a target for Atletico Madrid and Napoli according to the same report.

Jurgen Klopp is said to be keen on signing him as he wants a new #1 in between the posts at Anfield. Loris Karius has been doing a good job but the manager wants a more solid keeper.

In case you didn’t know...

Cillessen joined Barcelona from Ajax in the summer of 2016. The Calatan side paid £11.1 million (plus £1.7 add-ons) for the shot-stopper.

The Dutch international was signed as a replacement for Claudio Bravo by the Spanish side. They had just sold the Chile goalkeeper to Manchester City for a £15.4M fee!

The heart of the matter

Liverpool have already held talks with Cillessen and have reportedly proposed a "project" to the goalkeeper. They are guaranteeing him a role in the starting XI and that has impressed the Dutchman according to the report.

Cillessen has been a backup keeper for Barcelona ever since he joined them. He's played regularly in the Copa del Rey but has made just one appearance in La Liga!

Rumour probability: 6/10

Pepe Reina is set to leave Napoli for AC Milan this summer and Jan Oblak is a target for a lot of top clubs this summer. It's no surprise that Napoli and Atletico Madrid have also shown interest in Cillessen.

Mignolet is rumoured to be the replacement for Reina at Napoli if the Italian side fail to land the Barcelona backup keeper. Klopp will be more than happy to let him leave if he gets Cillessen from the Catalan side.

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Author’s Take

Cillessen is too good to be a backup keeper and it's a surprise that he accepted that role at Barcelona. Marc-André ter Stegen has been in the form of his life and there was no way Valverde was replacing him with Cillessen at the post.