Another one of Manchester United’s long running transfer sagas may have come to an end, as Ajax’s Jasper Cillessen has come out and cleared the air about his future.
According to the Independent, Cillessen has said that he will be staying at Ajax, at least until the end of the current season.
Speaking to Dutch TV station NOS, the 26-year old said: “As far as I know it [a move to Manchester United] has never been a thing. I, the club, or my agent have never heard anything. As for me, this season begins and ends at Ajax.”
The Netherlands international had been reportedly earmarked by United manager and fellow countryman Louis van Gaal as David de Gea’s replacement should the Spaniard leave Old Trafford, but Real have refused to meet the Reds’ asking price of £28 million for the goalkeeper.
However, United’s plan has always been to sign a high-quality replacement to compete with Sergio Romero for the number one spot between the sticks at the Theatre of Dreams should de Gea depart. Tottenham’s Hugo Lloris was another name in the mix for a move to Manchester, but Cillessen has always been ahead of him in the race due to his prior connections with van Gaal.
These comments may signal an end to the rumours, but the situation could change in a matter of days, if the Spanish giants meet the Reds’ asking price for de Gea. van Gaal will be desperately looking for a goalkeeper to replace de Gea in the final days of the transfer window, and Cillessen’s name will definitely come back into frame. Keep your eyes peeled for further developments.
