Jasper Cillessen will not play for Ajax, in order to sign for Barça

Jasper Cillessen will not play for Ajax, in order to sign for Barça

The goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen will not play for Ajax in their game against Willem II in the Dutch Eredivisie, to avoid an injury that would prevent him from moving to Barça.

The player and his current club have agreed that he should remain on the bench on Saturday, in what could be his last game in Holland.

The keeper has reached an agreement with Barça, and awaits the deal to be finalised between the respective clubs. The Blaugrana are very advanced in their talks with Ajax, with a view to a 12 million euros transfer.

Diego Alves is still in play however, despite not being the Barcelona technical staff's preferred option.

Cillessen met with his coach, and the sporting director of the Dutch club, and came to an understanding that it was best for him not to play this weekend.

Ajax are hopeful of a deal being reached, as they have had the player on the market all summer hping for a buyer. Barça have a good relationship with the Amsterdam side, and the negotiations have progressed smoothly in recent days.

On Thursday, there were talks at the highest level and FC Barcelona have the possible signing ready for completion.

Nothing will be finalised until next week, when Manchester City should take the final step in making their signing of Claudio Bravo official. 

From that point on, Barça will make their move, with Cillessen and Diego Alves both tied up, waiting for a final decision.