Ter Stegen: a Premier League giant is interested in signing him

Marc-André ter Stegen seems to have a clear idea about his departure from FC Barcelona in the winter market that opens on January 1, 2026. The German is facing the final stretch of his recovery post lumbar surgery, knowing that he has been relegated to a residual role within the Barça squad.

Although the board will not force his departure, Hansi Flick is clear about his 1-2 in goal for the rest of the season. Joan García will return to the starting lineup as soon as he is medically cleared from his knee surgery, while Wojciech Szczesny remains a reliable substitute whose experience and character are highly valued in the locker room.

In that sense, with only six months to go until the start of the World Cup, Ter Stegen understands the need to look for a team. The ideal scenario would probably be through a loan until the end of 25/26 to regain competitive rhythm and maintain his place as the starting goalkeeper for Germany. 

Chelsea interested in Ter Stegen as winter reinforcement

According to the latest information linked to the future of Barça's first captain, Chelsea would be very interested in signing him. At least that's what journalist Sacha Tavolieri claims, who sees the German goalkeeper in 'pole position' to become the new 'blue' goalkeeper, along with the French Mike Maignan.

The problem with the latter is that he still has a contract with AC Milan until the end of the season and we would have to wait until next summer to sign him on a 'free transfer'. The coach Enzo Maresca would be demanding that the board sign another goalkeeper in January, an obstacle in Maignan's case.

The Frenchman reportedly has no intention of renewing with Milan and will be free to negotiate with any club from January 1. Ter Stegen, on the other hand, needs a change of scenery in the winter and could negotiate a loan without a mandatory purchase option.

For the moment, the Spaniard Robert Sánchez remains the starter in Chelsea's goal. However, his performance in the first 11 matches of the 25/26 season (12 goals conceded and one expulsion) does not inspire confidence in the coaching staff of the London team.

The Dane Filip Jorgensen, his substitute, also doesn't convince the Italian coach, who already put him in as a starter in the last Champions League match against Ajax (a 5-1 'blue' victory).

Other clubs interested in Marc-André ter Stegen: Barça awaits offers

Ter Stegen: the hidden risk for FC Barcelona with the goalkeeper's absence

Besides Chelsea, in England, Newcastle and Manchester United also have 'Matts' in their sights. In Germany, Borussia Mönchengladbach was rumored as a possible destination for the Barça goalkeeper, but the club's terrible start to the season (bottom of the Bundesliga with 3 draws in 8 games) does not help their aspirations at all.

Barcelona, meanwhile, is awaiting a 'summit' with Ter Stegen, once the 33-year-old goalkeeper receives medical clearance, to clear up any doubts regarding his future. The board is hoping to resolve the terms of his possible departure in January amicably, finding a formula that satisfies the interests of both parties.

Marc-André needs to play and be a key figure, but he has a contract with Barça until 2028 and the bulk of his salary is still to be paid. The '1' has been an example of professionalism since his arrival in 2014 and, in 2023, he agreed to renew, deferring most of his fee for the last three years of the five stipulated in his contract.

Beyond the goalkeeper's initial desire to stay and fight for a spot, in the short and medium term, his departure seems inevitable. The player has reportedly softened his stance, a key factor in being able to negotiate with other clubs after a summer where he declined to listen to offers before relapsing from his back problems. 

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