Marc-Andre ter Stegen (foto: Getty Images)
Marc-André ter Stegen is close to leaving Barcelona on loan and joining Girona, staying in La Liga to secure regular football ahead of the World Cup, as he is no longer first choice and has struggled with injuries.
Marc-André ter Stegen is getting closer to a temporary farewell from Barcelona. The German goalkeeper and club captain has given the green light to a move that would keep him in La Liga, with Girona emerging as the most realistic destination.
For several days now, it has been clear that Barcelona are looking for a short-term solution for the second half of the season. Ter Stegen is no longer in the plans as the first-choice goalkeeper and has also struggled with injuries for a large part of the campaign.
Girona, located just over an hour’s drive from Camp Nou, need a new goalkeeper urgently. Their current situation is closely linked to Dominik Livaković, who is set to leave the club this month.
The Croatian goalkeeper started the season at Fenerbahçe, then moved on loan to Girona, but never secured the role of first-choice keeper. He has not played a single minute in order to avoid being blocked from a January transfer, as FIFA rules allow a player to represent only two clubs in one season.
With the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico approaching this summer, both Ter Stegen and Livaković are highly motivated to move in January and find regular playing time to improve their chances of being selected by their national teams.
For Girona, the arrival of a goalkeeper with the experience and reputation of Ter Stegen would be a huge boost. The Catalan club is currently flirting with the relegation battle, and a proven winner between the posts could be a decisive factor in their fight for survival.
For Barcelona, this would be a temporary solution that eases the squad situation, while for Ter Stegen it represents a chance to stay in Spain, play regularly and rebuild his status before the World Cup.
If everything goes according to plan, the German captain should soon be wearing a new La Liga jersey — but without moving far from home.