Barcelona transfers Bravo to Manchester City, signs Cillessen from Ajax
The goalkeeper carousel around Europe got kick-started Thursday by Barcelona, which signed Jasper Cillessen from Ajax and then sold Claudio Bravo to Manchester City, the club announced.
Bravo will net Barcelona €18 million, with an additional €2 million in add-ons as a result of the transfer, according to the club's statement. Cillessen, who signed a five-year deal after a €13 million transfer (with €2 million in add-ons), will battle Marc Andre ter-Stegen for the starter's job at Camp Nou.
The two Barcelona moves should set off a chain of events that leads to England No. 1 Joe Hart leaving Manchester City, which has been expected for weeks after new manager Pep Guardiola benched him in favor of Willy Caballero. Ajax, which failed to qualify for the Champions League group stage after being ousted by Russia's FC Rostov in the playoff round, is filling its void left behind by Cillessen with Tim Krul, acquired on loan from Newcastle.
There's no clarity on where Hart will wind up. Speculation had linked him to Sevilla and Everton, but Toffees manager Ronald Koeman batted down the notion that Hart would be coming to Goodison Park on Thursday.
Bravo, who signed a four-year deal with Manchester City takes over the starter's role at the Etihad following two years at Barcelona during which he won eight trophies. He also helped guide Chile to consecutive Copa America titles in the last two summers.
