Barcelona ace is attracting intense interest from Chelsea and Manchester United, as they look to capitalize on his uncertain future.
In my view, the recent €25 million signing of a new goalkeeper from Espanyol has spurred interest from English powerhouses Chelsea and Manchester United, who are both taking note of the 33-year-old situation, according to Fichajes.
Quite frankly, what has become the new normal: a new goalkeeper acquisition and an expected contract renewal with an already signed goalkeeper has met at the bottom of the pecking order and coincidentally heightening speculation by all parties that is has opened the door for an exit from Barcelona as they work and maneuver through several exit strategies to assuage their economic problems.
The player in question is Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who has been a cornerstone at Barcelona since signing in 2014.
Ter Stegen has served as the starting goalkeeper and an overwhelming presence for the Barcelona backline in the past, but not now with Joan Garcia and Wojciech Szczesny ahead of him.
It has been reported ter Stegen is unhappy with both Garcia being the preferred No.1 and with Barcelona’s neglect to intend to keep Garcia, and therefore has shown some disappointment and disgruntlement in the process as he garners interest and excitement from the situation in England.
Chelsea is looking for a reliable goalkeeper, and Manchester United is looking to strengthen their squad, and both see ter Stegen as an optimal target, notwithstanding the commanding €180,000-a-week wage.
Barcelona’s financial plight means Ter Stegen could feasibly leave, as the club is actively seeking to manage its wage bill, and any offer to take him away is not unthinkable.
It is understood that Ter Stegen is conflicted about returning to playing and fighting for his spot or looking for a new challenge.
Chelsea views him as a remedy to their goalkeeping woes, while United views him as direct competition to Andre Onana.
With talk of a move doing the rounds, Ter Stegen’s future will rest in the hands of Barcelona’s negotiation structure and what the goalkeeper himself envisions for the future.
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