Barcelona poised to sign Ajax goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen as Claudio Bravo nears exit

Barcelona have reportedly offered around £10.3m ($13.5m) for Ajax goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen. The 27-year-old Dutch international is said to be desperate to join the Catalans, who appear to be on the cusp of selling Claudio Bravo to Manchester City.

Cillessen has been linked with numerous European teams during his time at Ajax, but the club's hierarchy are reportedly willing to let him move to Barcelona, knowing it is a brilliant career opportunity for their goalkeeper. As a result, it seems as though Ajax will accept Barcelona's offer for the player, according to the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.

What's more, it has been speculated that Cillessen's untypical errors in the early stages of the season have, in part, been caused by Barcelona's interest. The goalkeeper is said to have become distracted by the discussions surrounding his club future.

Should the transfer materialise, Cillessen will become only the second Dutch goalkeeper to have played for Barcelona, after Ruud Hesp. His impeding switch is also likely to accelerate Bravo's move to Manchester City, where he will work with Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium.

Guardiola is known to be keen to recruit a goalkeeper who is adept at passing the ball with his feet and has identified Bravo as his first-choice option. The decision has led to England number one Joe Hart being relegated to the bench so far this season, amid talk he could leave the club this summer.