Barcelona anticipates a potentially eventful summer transfer window, and a significant change could see long-serving goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen depart the club. The 33-year-old is reportedly expected to be behind younger options like Joan Garcia and Wojciech Szczesny in the squad hierarchy next season, leading to speculation about a possible exit.
While Ter Stegen himself has publicly stated his desire to remain at Barcelona, the necessity for consistent first-team action is paramount for him to guarantee his spot as Germany`s number one for the upcoming World Cup tournament in North America.
German football legend Lothar Matthäus has now offered his perspective on the situation, commenting to Sky Sports (as reported by MD).
“He has come back in good shape after a long injury and has shown, especially in the Nations League against France, that he is still a world-class goalkeeper at 33 years of age. But (Joan Garcia) is nine years younger, he is already part of the Spanish national team and he is expected to be number one in the future.
“A club is in its right to say that they are betting on a younger goalkeeper for the future. In addition, he may have a lower salary. It is an unpleasant situation for (Ter Stegen), and I suppose he will leave Barcelona.”
Matthäus Suggests Premier League Move, Mentions Manchester City
Matthäus supports the idea of Ter Stegen moving to a club where he would be the undisputed first-choice keeper, suggesting the Premier League as a strong possibility.
He added, “There are also six clubs in England that will play in the Champions League next season, and not all of them have a goalkeeper strong enough to say: ‘Ter Stegen would not be a reinforcement for us’. I don’t know what Manchester City are planning, but I don’t think they’re very happy with Ederson. I think Ter Stegen could definitely be a goalkeeper for the Citizens for the next three or four years.”
Although Manchester United has also been linked with interest in Ter Stegen, a potential move across the city to Manchester City could represent a logical next step for the Barcelona goalkeeper. Currently, he is anticipated to remain in Catalonia, but the situation is likely to evolve significantly in the coming weeks.
