OPINION
Liverpool’s hunt for a new goalkeeper has been one of the stories of the summer transfer window so far, with the Reds linked with an ever-lengthening list of stoppers from around the continent.
Roma goalkeeper Alisson and Atletico Madrid stopper Jan Oblak were seemingly the club’s first two choices, but deals for either man look nigh-on impossible to strike this time round.
A move for young Lazio and Albania international ace Thomas Strakosha is another that has been touted, with the Reds also linked to Burnley stopper Nick Pope and an unlikely move for Chelsea number one Thibaut Courtois.
One name that has further been mentioned is Barcelona goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen, but links to the Netherlands international had seemingly gone quiet in the last few weeks.
However, a huge development in the Cillessen situation has now come to light which throws the door wide open for Liverpool to swoop and finally bring an end to their goalkeeping issues for a reasonable sum of cash.
As reported by Sport, Barcelona have slashed their price tag for Cillessen and will now listen to offers around the £26.5million mark for the 29-year-old, with the club previously holding out for his release clause of £53million.
That halves the asking price immediately, and represents a saving of £26.5million for Liverpool.
The Spanish newspaper claim that Barcelona are under no pressure to sell, and Cillessen has also not made a move to push through an exit, but the ace does want more first-team football.
It is said that Barca are therefore open to an exit for the 29-year-old, and want more than anything to agree a swift deal, avoiding a ‘soap opera’ in the process.
Sport report that Liverpool are yet to make a move for the Netherlands international, but this must change as soon as possible.
This is the best opportunity that the club are going to get to sign a world-class goalkeeper for a price tag that does not make your eyes water, and if they miss out on this it would be criminal from the recruitment team.
Swoops for Alisson and Oblak look out of the club’s reach, and the other candidates discussed do not cut it at the level that Liverpool require.
Quite simply, the club will not get a better opportunity to solve an issue that has been dogging them for years, and they must act now before it slips through their fingertips, along with any chance of silverware next season.
