Sofia Quijada
Marc-André ter Stegen could be heading towards a surprise January departure from Barcelona, with Girona reportedly emerging as the frontrunners to secure his signature.
The German goalkeeper only recently returned to action following back surgery, featuring in Barcelona’s 2-0 Copa del Rey victory over Guadalajara earlier this month. However, despite his comeback, Ter Stegen’s prospects of regular first-team football at Camp Nou appear increasingly slim.
Under Hansi Flick, Joan Garcia has firmly established himself as the club’s undisputed number one. That leaves Ter Stegen facing stiff competition merely to secure the role of backup, with Wojciech Szczesny also in contention for minutes.
At 33 years old, the former Borussia Mönchengladbach keeper is acutely aware that remaining at Barcelona beyond the January transfer window could severely limit his playing time during a crucial stage of his career.
Ter Stegen closing in on Girona move
Ter Stegen, who remains under contract with Barcelona until June 2028, has been loosely linked with a move to the Premier League, with Aston Villa named as a potential destination.
However, reports from Sport suggest Villa have no intention of entering the goalkeeper market this winter. Unai Emery is said to be satisfied with his current options, including Emiliano Martínez and Marco Bizot, effectively ruling out a move to the Midlands.
The same report claims that Girona are now in pole position to land Ter Stegen, with the Catalan side actively exploring a deal to bring him in for the second half of the season.
Further backing this stance, Mundo Deportivo reports that Girona are prepared to do everything possible to secure the German’s services, with head coach Míchel keen to strengthen his goalkeeping department.
Paulo Gazzaniga has struggled for consistency in recent weeks, while Dominik Livaković is expected to return to parent club Fenerbahçe, creating an urgent need for a reliable number one.
Girona face one major stumbling block
The primary obstacle in any potential deal remains Ter Stegen’s salary. Girona are reportedly targeting a loan move until the end of the season, but the goalkeeper’s substantial wages could complicate negotiations.
For the move to materialise, Barcelona would likely need to shoulder a significant portion of the salary, or Ter Stegen would have to agree to forgo a considerable amount of his earnings.
From a sporting perspective, the switch makes clear sense. Girona can offer Ter Stegen the guaranteed number one role he currently lacks, providing him with regular minutes to stake his claim ahead of the next international cycle.
With Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann monitoring his options closely ahead of the World Cup, consistent playing time could prove decisive.
Crucially, the move would also allow Ter Stegen and his family to remain settled in Catalonia, with Girona’s proximity to Barcelona minimising disruption off the pitch.
As the January window approaches, all signs point towards a pragmatic exit that suits player and club alike.