Ajax goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has admitted that he is pleased the goalkeepers are grabbing the headlines with the ever-increasing price tags. The likes of Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea have taken turns to break the goalkeeper transfer record over the past 18 months and Van der Sar believes the shot-stoppers are finally commanding the right price for their performances.

“I think on one end, we need to understand that goalkeeping is an art and is also a very important position to have in your club. And the demand is there that clubs can ask the money they receive now for goalkeepers like Liverpool and Man City. But the level goes up and also the type of goalkeeping is not only about short stopping but it is about distribution and helping the team out. That was a part of my game and I am happy to see that it is prolonging and progressing along the way,” he told Goal.com

Manchester City broke a long-lasting transfer record with Gianluigi Buffon after they secured the signature of Ederson from Benfica for £35m last year. Thereafter, the sum was surpassed by a big margin last summer with the £64m capture of Alisson Becker by Liverpool but that feat could only last for a few weeks with Kepa Arrizabalaga making the switch to Chelsea for around £70m before the transfer deadline.

Meanwhile, returning to Van der Sar, the Dutchman highlighted Ajax’s plans of keeping hold of their main players for the long-term and indicated that the club have no plans to entertain any mid-season departures. Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt and Andre Onana are among those who have been mentioned for probable departures but as things stand, the Dutch outfit are reluctant to consider any kind of offers when the transfer window reopens at the turn of the year.