Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Jasper Cillessen, Victor Valdes Rumours

Ajax goalkeeper Jasper Cillissen may be the man to replace Victor Valdes once the veteran leaves Manchester United for Besiktas, with manager Louis van Gaal reportedly already having a deal in place for his compatriot.

That's according to the Daily Telegraph's Mark Ogden, who made the claim during an appearance on Beyond the Pitch. Host Pilib de Brun took to Twitter to share the comments:

Ogden's claim was made after Cillessen told NOS (h/t beIN Sports) he was unaware of any discussions going on between Ajax or his agent and United.

Cillessen was Van Gaal's choice goalkeeper during his time with the Dutch national team, playing a vital role in the team's run to the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup. The 26-year-old has been with Ajax since 2011 and broke through in a big way in 2013, establishing himself as the Dutch No. 1.

Reports of United's interest in the Dutchman will be linked to two players: David De Gea and Valdes. According to Fanatik (h/t Turkish Football's Emre Sarigul), Besiktas board member Erdan Torunogullari has traveled to England to complete a deal for the latter, who seems all but certain to leave Old Trafford before the end of the transfer window.

The Spanish veteran reportedly refused to play in a reserve match this summer, prompting Van Gaal to make the decision to sell him immediately, via the Daily Mirror's David McDonnell. And as shared by the Manchester Evening News' Samuel Luckhurst, the club has done everything possible to freeze him out since then:

Valdes was allowed to train with the club on his road to recovery following a serious knee injury that saw him miss the 2014 World Cup, and he did enough in training to earn himself a contract.

He even made a couple of starts last season when De Gea went down with an injury, but following the arrival of Sergio Romero during the summer, it's clear that was never going to be the case in 2015-16.

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

The veteran is still an excellent shot-stopper, and with the Turkish league establishing itself as a preferred destination for unwanted and ageing United stars―Robin van Persie and Nani have already completed transfers to the league earlier this summer―Besiktas seems like an excellent fit.

More importantly are the rumours surrounding starter De Gea, who continues to be linked with a move to Real Madrid. Spanish media are convinced the former Atletico Madrid star will return to the capital city before the end of the transfer window, including AS (h/t London Evening Standard's Liam):

The Cillessen rumours will only fuel speculation regarding De Gea, even if they shouldn't. Van Gaal showed he trusts the Ajax man during last year's World Cup, but if he were to move to Old Trafford, it would not be to replace De Gea. Cillessen's good, but he's not a star―he's a logical replacement for Valdes, and little more than that.

No, if De Gea leaves, Romero will continue to be the starter heading into the 2015-16 season―unless Van Gaal and Ed Woodward manage to find a world-class replacement, which seems unlikely this close to the end of the transfer window.

Even if De Gea stays, there's a chance Romero will still start the bulk of the matches. The Argentinian has looked solid early in the season as De Gea watched from the stands, and there's every opportunity that situation will continue even after the window closes.

Cillessen could very well earn the right to start by impressing in training, but he wouldn't be brought to Old Trafford with that idea in mind. If this transfer does go through, he'll become the new No. 2, replacing Valdes.

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