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Barcelona transfer news: Chelsea and Liverpool receive huge Jasper Cillessen boost
CHELSEA and Liverpool have been handed a boost as they consider bids for Barcelona goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen.
Jasper Cillessen: Barcelona stopper shows goalkeeping prowess
Both Premier League sides have been linked with the Barcelona outcast this summer.
Chelsea are looking for a new No 1 with Thibaut Courtois expected to join Real Madrid.
Liverpool may sell both Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius so would need a back up for Alisson.
And Barca boss Ernesto Valverde admits Cillessen is likely to leave this summer.
When asked about his leaving the Barca boss said: “The truth that is quite close, tomorrow will have to play.
“I can not imagine another situation ahead of time. But I do not have a key to anything.”
Cillessen has played understudy to Marc Andre Ter Stegen at Barcelona and is keen to move for first team football.
The Holland keeper, 29, has been at the Nou Camp for two seasons but has only played twice in La Liga.
And now he needs to leave to save his career.
However Chelsea and Liverpool have been struggling to get deals over the line in the last few weeks.
Liverpool started early with the signing of Fabinho straight after the Champions League defeat and Naby Keita arrived after agreeing above last year.
Since then they have snapped up Xherdan Shaqiri and Alisson, but failed to land Nabil Fekir.
Chelsea meanwhile have signed only Jorginho and Rob Green under Maurizio Sarri and are hoping to do some late deals.
But Sarri says they may only sign one despite the potential of Courtois leaving for Spain.
"I think we need something," he said ahead of the Community Shield. "But only maybe one player.
“I don’t know what will happen. I talk with the club about the market. We’ve spoken about positions but no names.
“I think we need something. We have very good midfielders - but maybe a midfielder with different characteristics.”