FC BARCELONA SIGNINGS 2025
Lothar Matthäus advises Ter Stegen to sign for City
Published:23/06/2025 - 22:04h
Updated:23/06/2025 - 22:04h
Lothar Matthäus believes that, for Ter Stegen, the best thing is to resolve his departure from Barça as soon as possible. In that sense, the German football legend is betting on City as the ideal destination for the '1'
In Germany, the future of Marc-André ter Stegen continues to generate uncertainty. The 33-year-old goalkeeper is still the starter for the German goal, thinking about the 2026 World Cup, but his situation with FC Barcelona is very worrying regarding the role of the '1' in 25/26.
With the signing of Joan García and the imminent renewal of Wojciech Szczesny, the options for the Mönchengladbach native to regain the starting position with Hansi Flick's team are reduced. In this regard, the former player and legend of German football, Lothar Matthäus, assured that, for the goalkeeper, the best thing is to resolve his departure from Barça as soon as possible.
"The club has its interests and, if Barça has another goalkeeper, it is a risky bet for Ter Stegen. There will come a time when the coach, Julian Nagelsmann, will no longer be able to justify his starting position if he is only on the bench," Matthäus began by saying in a chat with 'Sky' Germany.
Matthäus is clear: Guardiola should take Ter Stegen to City
In addition, the former Bayern Munich player understands how uncomfortable it is for Marc-André to face a possible substitution in Barcelona after an entire season out due to injury. Similarly, he justified the decision of the Azulgrana board to incorporate a goalkeeper nine years younger and with excellent projection.
"A club has the right to say that it is looking for a younger goalkeeper for the future, who could also be cheaper. For Barça, it is crucial to get players off the payroll in order to sign others," argued Matthäus, who also referred to the rumors about the possible interest of Manchester City in the goalkeeper and captain of the 'Culés'.
"I don't know what City's plans are, but I don't think they are very happy with Ederson. However, I think Ter Stegen could be the 'Citizens' goalkeeper for the next three or four years," pointed out the German coach as well.
Will Manchester City go for Ter Stegen?
Prior to the start of the Club World Cup, the Mancunian team closed the signing of Marcus Bertinelli (Chelsea), who replaces the veteran Scott Carson as the third goalkeeper behind Ederson Moraes and Stefan Ortega.
The Brazilian, however, ends his contract in 2026 and, for the moment, no details have been leaked about his renewal. The same is true of Ortega, Ederson's usual substitute since his arrival on a 'free transfer' in the summer of 2022.
In that sense, Pep Guardiola does not rule out incorporating another goalkeeper this summer, as long as one of the current goalkeepers in the squad decides to leave at the end of the Club World Cup.
Ter Stegen would be an interesting bet for the 'sky blue' team, since he is a goalkeeper who, although he turned 33 years old last April and injuries in the last two seasons have diminished his performance, is still a starter in the German national team and seems fully recovered in the physical aspect to return to his best version.
In economic terms, the signing would not be a problem, since Marc-André, although he has a contract until 2028, can leave for a figure close to 10 million euros or, even, with a letter of freedom if he and the board agree on an amicable departure.
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