Girona reaches loan agreement with Barcelona star as a seismic three-way deal nears completion in the final stages of negotiation.
The Catalan neighbours have pushed hard to secure a high-profile addition who brings proven quality and leadership, resolving complex financial hurdles through compromise from all parties.
Barcelona, managing squad dynamics under intense scrutiny, sees this as a pragmatic solution to maintain harmony while addressing depth requirements elsewhere.
That star is Marc-André ter Stegen, the 33-year-old German international and club captain who has fallen dramatically down Hansi Flick’s pecking order behind Joan Garcia and Wojciech Szczęsny.
After back surgery sidelined him early in the season, ter Stegen returned, hoping for Copa del Rey and Super Cup minutes, but even his rare start against Guadalajara proved a one-off. Flick’s decision to bench him again for the Racing Santander cup win confirmed his third-choice status, accelerating talks with Girona.
Journalist Nil Solà reports the agreement hinges on ter Stegen’s willingness to forgo a significant portion of his hefty wages, allowing Girona to cover what their budget permits without breaking financial fair play rules.
Barcelona retains his services until 2028, making this a straight loan until June with no purchase option—ensuring they can reclaim their captain next season if circumstances change.
The proximity of Montilivi to Camp Nou, just 100km away, factors heavily, letting ter Stegen stay close to family while securing regular La Liga football.
For Girona, coached by Míchel Sánchez, landing a Champions League-winning goalkeeper represents a massive coup that elevates their ambitions mid-season.
Ter Stegen prioritises playing time to fight for his Germany World Cup spot under Julian Nagelsmann, rejecting other options abroad.
With final details being ironed out, the deal could materialise next week before the January window closes.
This extraordinary intra-Catalan arrangement underscores ter Stegen’s professionalism amid Barcelona’s goalkeeping reshuffle, potentially reshaping both clubs’ campaigns.
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