Newcastle Set to Make Move for Barcelona Goalkeeper to Add Quality Between the Sticks
Newcastle United are preparing to make a move for Barcelona back up goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen in January.
With Football-Espana reporting that Barcelona are looking to cut their wage bill it seems likely that Cillessen, who has made just one league appearance for the Catalan giants, will be on the move.
Although the 28-year-old has failed to cement his place in the Barcelona first team, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen remaining the first choice goalkeeper, he has featured regularly for his national side. The goalkeeper has been capped 38 times by the Netherlands and kept a clean sheet during their latest friendly against Romania.
The Dutchman was first capped in 2013 but went on to be the Netherlands' first-choice goalkeeper one year later during their third place finish at the 2014 World Cup. Cillessen's experience also extends to club level where he played 141 games for Ajax over the course of six seasons, winning three Eredivisie titles in the process.
With Newcastle looking to progress as a club, Cillessen would add international and European experience to the squad, something which current first choice goalkeeper Rob Elliot lacks.
The Tyneside club are returning to the Premier League after having been relegated in the 2015/16 season. Currently 11th in the table Newcastle have made a strong start in their return to the top flight.
Sky Sports have also reported that owner Mike Ashley is in negotiations to sell Newcastle. If the Toon Army were to be taken over they would no doubt have European ambitions, something which Cillessen has already experienced.
