Barcelona are reportedly plotting a £12.5 million move to sign Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet as a replacement for Jasper Cillessen.

According to Daily Mail, Barcelona are stepping up their efforts to sign Simon Mignolet. The Liverpool star is being lined up by the Catalans as a replacement for Jasper Cillessen, who is likely to move in search of regular playing time. Barcelona are plotting a cut-price £12.5 million bid for the Belgian stopper.

Simon Mignolet started brightly at Liverpool. But, his bouts of inconsistent displays saw him relegated to being the second choice after the arrival of Loris Karius. Karius too, seemed far from consistent and was credited with costing Liverpool the Champions League trophy, letting in two soft goals.

With Karius continuing to disappoint in the pre-season friendlies, Liverpool delved into the transfer market to sign Alisson Becker from AS Roma in a world record deal for a goalkeeper. The Brazilian is likely to command the goal for Liverpool, with Loris Karius the deputy.

Simon Mignolet’s future has been cast into doubt since Alisson’s arrival. The player was first linked to Napoli to replace Pepe Reina, who has joined AC Milan. But, Mignolet has now been linked with a shock move to Barcelona. And the interest does seem to be genuine.

Elated with the potential of a move to Barcelona? (Picture Courtesy - AFP/Getty Images)
Elated with the potential of a move to Barcelona? (Picture Courtesy – AFP/Getty Images)

Jasper Cillessen is on his way out of Barcelona. The Dutchman wants a lion’s share of playing time, which is unlikely to happen at Nou Camp, with Marc Andre ter Stegen the undisputed first-choice at the club. Cillessen has man suitors, including a few in the Premier League, and will not have much trouble in finding a new home.

Mignolet has been lined up by Barcelona as a replacement for the Dutchman. Much has been made of Mignolet and his lack of consistency. But, there has never been doubts placed on his talent and potential. If he does secure a move to Barcelona, he would serve as the deputy to Marc Andre ter Stegen.

But, even that would be a step up to his current status as the third-choice at Liverpool. Add to it, the potential of proving himself in the knockout games that he will be afforded starts in and it appears to be a brilliant move for the Belgian stopper.

Even Liverpool would love to balance the books a bit and tone down the net effect of Alisson’s arrival by the fee that Mignolet will command. Barcelona are reportedly plotting a £12.5 million bid for the Belgian, which could be a good starting point.

But, Liverpool will want slightly more for the beleaguered goalkeeper, who still has plenty of years of football in him. This deal though, should see the light of the day, if Barcelona do end up selling Jasper Cillessen and then become serious of replacing the Dutchman with Simon Mignolet.

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