Louis van Gaal wanted to bring the Dutch international to Old Trafford in 2014.
It will surprise few to hear that Liverpool are in the market for a new goalkeeper ahead of 2018/19.
Simon Mignolet started the season as Reds number one but he was eventually edged out by Loris Karius. The German had a decent run of clean sheets as Liverpool reached the Champions League final but two high-profile errors in that game, against Real Madrid, cost his side dearly.
The 24-year-old commendably stepped up to accept blame and ask Liverpool fans for forgiveness after the 3-1 loss. He is young enough and has enough talent to bounce back but the fact of the matter is, Klopp and Liverpool had already been scouting for a new goalkeeper even before the final.
The club has been strongly linked to Roma’s Brazilian shot-stopper Alisson Becker since the turn of the year and former Liverpool goalkeeper Ray Clemence is the most qualified of many voices urging them to sign Stoke and England’s Jack Butland.
Atletico Madrid No.1 Jan Oblak has also been linked with a switch to Anfield but, according to The Daily Star, Arsenal are favourites to secure his services if he moves on.
The latest from Spain, however, sees Liverpool in the market for a Barcelona goalkeeper. Mundo Deportivo report that the agent of Jasper Cillessen has told Barcelona that Liverpool are interested in his man.
The Dutch international, who was signed from Ajax, has a contract with Barca up until 2021 but there is a €60m release clause in his contract. That is €40m less than Oblak’s release clause, while Roma are said to have priced Alisson at €76m to ward off potential suitors.
Cillessen was first choice of Louis van Gaal when he was coach of The Netherlands and, when he joined Manchester United as boss in 2014, there were enquiries made about bringing the goalkeeper over to England. This was at a time, of course, when David de Gea’s head was turned by the attentions of Real Madrid.
Having secured the signature of Fabinho – a player heavily linked with United in the past – Liverpool could be about to further strengthen their squad.
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