Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are in the picture to sign Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen. That’s at least according to multiple claims from the Catalan media.
Earlier this week, we covered claims which stated the Red Devils and Spurs have made contact with Barcelona about a possible move in January.
Thursday’s edition of Sport backs up Manchester United and Tottenham interest in the 33-year-old, and reports what they present as the latest.
Ter Stegen underwent back surgery in July and is expected to return in January. Behind the scenes, the newspaper report Barcelona are trying to resolve his situation. His priority is to continue at the Camp Nou, but nothing can be ruled out yet.
Barca have given the Germany international freedom to decide his future, but ‘external pressure could tip the balance’. Essentially, they’re trying to force him out and there was annoyance he had that operation and swerved a transfer.
Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann is said to be pushing the stopper to find a team where he can play regularly. That’s so that he can arrive at the next World Cup in good form and shape.
Ter Stegen is near-guaranteed to start for the national team at the World Cup if he’s fit. He has to play regularly to achieve this and it won’t be possible at Barcelona.
This situation forces him to consider a January exit, even it’s on loan. Manchester United and Tottenham are named as suitors.
Ter Stegen has no guarantee of even being fit in January
The newspaper reports ‘there is interest’ from the Premier League, where Ruben Amorim’s side and Spurs could be possible destinations. They add unnamed German clubs are willing to offer him a starting spot in the second half of the season.
Sport state: ‘This pressure from the German national team and the need for playing time pose a dilemma for Ter Stegen, who will have to make a decision in the coming weeks.’
As we pointed out earlier this week, this all appears wishful thinking from the media closest to Barcelona. There’s no guarantee either Manchester United or Tottenham will need a starting goalkeeper in January. On top of that, there’s also no guarantee Marc-André ter Stegen will even be fit to play at that time.
Neither Premier League club exist to provide a pre-World Cup finishing school for the Barcelona outcast. A likelier move, and it all depends on him getting fit, would be somewhere after a long term injury crops up.