As we get closer to the next transfer window, Barcelona’s plans for their first summer trading period under Xavi Hernandez are starting to take shape.
Two signings, in the form of Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie, have already been sealed. But more are expected as Xavi looks to build a squad capable enough of toppling Real Madrid and taking Barca back to the pinnacle in domestic and European football.
According to reports from Spain, Barcelona could look to sell Marc-Andre ter Stegen in the summer transfer window. The Catalan giants need to balance their books before launching the offensive for their targets, and the 30-year-old star could be one of their cash cows, the other being Frenkie de Jong.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen joined Barcelona from Borussia Monchengladbach in July 2014 and has since gone from strength to strength at Camp Nou. The German international initially played exclusively in the UEFA Champions League before becoming the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper for Barcelona in the 2015/16 season.
The 30-year-old subsequently grew in stature enormously at FC Barcelona, once even rated nearly as important as Lionel Messi for the Blaugrana. But ter Stegen’s performance levels have dipped in the last two seasons, as he has become error-prone, which has cost Barcelona precious points in the process.
But ter Stegen’s record for Barcelona is pretty solid, as he has kept 128 clean sheets in 323 outings thus far, letting in 327 goals in the process. Now, the German goalkeeping star’s stock has reduced at Camp Nou, and he is not indispensable anymore for the Blaugrana.
But, with Barça needing major sales, ter Stegen could be seen as one of the more sellable assets at the club who can fetch a high price in the transfer market, along with de Jong. After all, he remains a top-quality goalkeeper with several years left in his career.
There had been rumours of an exit in the past, but things had gone quiet of late. It seemed set that Xavi would bank on the experienced German as his goalkeeper for the foreseeable future. But the economic situation at the club may well lead to Barcelona considering selling ter Stegen.
In case of a departure, the Blaugrana would need to find an able replacement for the 30-year-old or decide to back one among Arnau Tenas or Inaki Pena to come good as the first-choice goalkeeper next term.
Selling ter Stegen will likely be a forced decision, with Frenkie de Jong another player who faces an uncertain future at Camp Nou. Recent reports have claimed that the Dutch international is closing in on joining Manchester United, reuniting with Erik ten Hag, in the summer transfer window.
