Barcelona star emerges as potential David de Gea replacement

According to the Daily Record, Netherlands international Jasper Cillessen is a leading candidate to take David de Gea’s gloves at Manchester United should the Spaniard leave this summer.

The Red Devils are still keen to ensure that their long-term number one stays at the club for the foreseeable future despite a dip from his usual superb standards but are identifying options should De Gea express a desire to leave.

Their attentions have reportedly been caught by Barcelona stopper Cillessen’s admission that he would like to leave Camp Nou this summer having served as an understudy to Marc-Andre ter Stegen for the past three years.

Discussing his future with Dutch television last month, Cillessen said: “First I will go on holiday. And then I hope to have a new club where I can play, because I want to play.”

The Dutchman is considered in many quarters as the strongest back-up keeper in the continent right now, and one that would be first choice for the overwhelming majority of Champions League chasing sides.

The 30-year-old has kept his place at international level after all, despite starting just four league matches since switching Ajax for Spain. Cillessen has made just one Champions League appearance in each of the last three seasons and been restricted to domestic cup action.