Cillessen: "The transfer market is absolutely crazy right now"
The Barça no2 believes teams are paying over the odds in most deals nowadays and that's complicating his own move away from the Camp Nou
Jasper Cillessen has decided to leave FC Barcelona this summer so he can become a starter for another team in Europe. However the rising cost of transfers in general has slowed down his hopes of securing an early move away.
Cillessen, who is wanted by Valencia and Manchester United amongst others, spoke to 'Voetbal International' about his situation. The keeper, who has a €60m buyout clause, is aware his current club won't sell him on the cheap despite not being first choice at the Camp Nou.
"My transfer (away) isn't easy," adding that he knows he won't be given away either. "It's clear that Barça won't let me leave for an apple and an egg."
In Barça's favour is the rising cost of top tier goalkeepers on the transfer market. Recently Alisson Becker (Liverpool, 60 million) and Kepa Arrizabalaga (Chelsea, 80 million) moved on for previously unthought of fees. "The market is really crazy. Honestly. It's true they are paying incredible transfer fees for players that we all know aren't worth that much. But you need to accept that it's the market which determines the prices and each player's situation depends on the market at the time."
Benfica have offered €13m for Cillessen which Barça consider way below the current market value for a keeper of the Dutch man's quality.
United are the latest team to add their name to the interested list but will wait to see what Valencia do first. Whatever happens over the next few months, Cillessen is hopeful that Barça will allow him to move on. "The club knows I've never been one to kick up a fuss."
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