Is Cillessen the man to replace David De Gea?

21 May 2015 08:55

With the future of De Gea yet to be decided it seems that United are already busy recruiting his successor should the Spaniard decide to join Real Madrid in the summer.

United have been linked with a number of keepers such as Petr Cech and Hugo Lloris but it seems that the Dutch connection will be tapped with Jasper Cillessen understood to be lined up to succeed David De Gea if the outcome is a goodbye.

The 26-year-old Ajax and Dutch international keeper is obviously a familiar talent for Louis van Gaal being his #1 at the 2014 World Cup. The player would cost in the region of £18m and has been recommended by the United goalkeeping coach Frans Hoek.

Manchester United have made an offer to De Gea which is £100,000 more than Real Madrid according to the Star. There are also reports that United have informed Real that they will not sell De Gea to them under any circumstances as well as the suggestion that Real want to keep Casillas and land De Gea. Real have also for their part moved to rule out any deal involving both Gareth Bale and David De Gea.

The sporting director of Ajax Marc Overmars insists his player is not for sale, raising the prospect of difficult and expensive negotiations should United need to call on the man being touted as their number one choice:

'He is not for sale,' said Overmars. 'No, not even for €25m.'

Jasper Cillessen joined Ajax on a 5-year contract in 2011 for an estimated 3million euros, binding the player to Ajax until 2016. In his four seasons at the Eredivisie club he has made 93 appearances with his breakthrough coming in 2013 when Frank de Boer gave him the opportunity to show why he should be first choice. The keeper joined the Netherlands international setup in 2013.

Source: DSG