Barcelona Play Hardball With Liverpool Over Jasper Cillessen

Liverpool are keen on a new goalkeeper after last season’s troubles between the sticks, and they have their eyes on perhaps the best backup keeper in the world: FC Barcelona’s Jasper Cillessen. Cillessen won the Copa del Rey once again last season, and he put in impressive performances. He’s also the Netherlands’ #1.

Cillessen has said he is comfortable at Barça but, of course, he also wants to play more often. He seems destined to remain behind Marc-André Ter Stegen in the pecking order, however.

Jürgen Klopp first considered Simon Mignolet his starter, but after several disappointments, Loris Karius was the one ultimately entrusted with starting the UEFA Champions League final. Unfortunately for him, he had a very poor match. Thus, the search for a new keeper.

But Barcelona are playing hardball over the transfer, according to Miguel Rico in Mundo Deprotivo. His report says that Barça have said they will not negotiate an exit, and instead, Liverpool will have to pay Cillessen’s 60 million euro release clause.

As expensive as that is, it’s cheaper than other options Liverpool are interested in. One is Jan Oblak from Atlético Madrid, who has a release clause of 100 million. Another rumored target is Alisson Becker, from AS Roma. He will likely cost a lot more than 60 million, as well.

Barcelona do need money to come in if they intend to spend this summer, so, potentially, they could budge on the price. But on the other hand, Liverpool themselves played hardball with Barça over Philippe Coutinho, so perhaps they will be getting a taste of their own medicine?