Barcelona have signed goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen from Ajax Amsterdam on a five-year contract in a deal worth 13 million euros (Dh53.9million), the Primera Liga champions said on Thursday.
The 27-year-old, who made 31 league appearances last season to help Ajax finish second in the Dutch Eredivisie standings, will fight with keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen for a starting place at Barcelona.
“FC Barcelona has decided to purchase 27-year-old Dutch goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen from Ajax Amsterdam on a five-year contract,” the Spanish club said in a statement on their website (www.fcbarcelona.com).
“The transfer fee is a guaranteed 13 million euros plus a further two million in variables. Cillessen’s buyout clause has been set at 60 million euros.”
The Dutchman’s arrival could signal a move for Claudio Bravo. Manchester City have reached an agreement with Barca to buy the Chilean goalkeeper, Spanish and British media reported.
*Reuters
Atletico’s Oliver Torres rejoins Porto on loan
Spain Under-21 midfielder Oliver Torres has rejoined Porto on an 18-month loan deal from Atletico Madrid, the Portuguese club announced on Thursday.
• More: The National's Transfer Talk page
Torres, 21, spent the 2014-15 campaign with Porto before returning to parent club Atletico last season and making 21 league appearances for Diego Simeone’s side.
Porto will have the option to make the move permanent for a fee of around 20 million euros (Dh82.9million), according to Portuguese media.
Porto, who finished third in the Primeira Liga last term, clinched their place in the Champions League group stage on Tuesday following a 4-1 aggregate victory over Roma.
* Agence France-Presse
Schalke swoop for Bentaleb and Stambouli
Schalke 04 strengthened their squad for the new German Bundesliga season on Thursday by confirming the loan signing of Algerian international Nabil Bentaleb and closing in on the capture of French midfielder Benjamin Stambouli.
Schalke, who finished fifth in Germany’s top flight last season to qualify for the Europa League, have signed Bentaleb from Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur on a season-long loan for a fee of around one million euros.
Meanwhile, Stambouli will join from Paris Saint-Germain and is set to cost the Royal Blues 8.5 million euros (Dh35.2million), according to German media.
“We’re very happy that Nabil Bentaleb has decided to join us, we’ve been working on this transfer for six weeks,” said Schalke’s sporting director Christian Heidel.
“Everything is signed from our side and he will train with us this afternoon.
“He is an aggressive midfielder who gives us another option.”
Schalke have the option of buying the 21-year-old holding midfielder, born in France, once his loan deal expires.
* Agence France-Presse
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