The door is still open on this one.
Ajax Amsterdam were eliminated from the Champions League, last night, after they lost 5-4 on aggregate to Rapid Vienna.
The defeat is a huge blow to the Dutch giants and means they may need to cash out on some of their better players.
Jasper Cillessen, their goalkeeper, would not have been cup-tied for playing in either of the qualifying legs as new UEFA rules stipulate preliminaries do not impose on summer transfer window deals.
The Dutch national team goalkeeper could have played in the next qualifying round, this month, and still have been free to make a move.
Manchester United have been strongly linked to the 26-year-old, as a replacement for David de Gea, and he seems open to the possibility.
Following the match, Cillessen told reporters, ‘[The speculation] says very little to me. As long as I don’t hear from my agent, I’ve got nothing to think about.’
However, he then told a journalist from De Telegraaf, ‘Five years ago, when I was playing for NEC it would have been, because NEC to United is a very big step.
‘Right now I’m completely focused on Ajax.’
While the Dutch have been hooshing their guy in the direction of Old Trafford, French newspaper L’Equipe is claiming that Hugo Lloris is on his way to United.
The Tottenham goalkeeper would reportedly be “delighted” to suit up as United’s new No.1.
As perennial hard bargain drivers, Spurs would demand £20m+ for their goalkeeper. It may help United’s cause, though, that they need a proven goalscorer ahead of the new season.
United could offer Javier Hernandez as a makeweight to get the Lloris deal over the line.
Van Gaal is said to be disheartened with de Gea’s lacklustre attitude in training, and pre-season matches [against Barcelona and PSG]. He believes the Spaniard is trying to force through a move to Real Madrid.
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