Marc-André ter Stegen has experienced a challenging season. His knee injury has kept him off the field for months. Now, he is in the final stretch of his recovery and will soon return to training with his teammates.
If everything goes as planned, Ter Stegen is expected to return after the Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund. However, his future at Barça is not completely assured. The management has doubts about his performance after the injury.
Barça Studies the Goalkeeper Market
At 32 years old, Ter Stegen remains a reference under the three posts. However, time doesn't stand still, and the club has begun to consider new options. Several promising names have been discussed in the offices.
Joan García, Diogo Costa, and Chevalier have been mentioned as possible reinforcements for the goal. However, in recent hours, another candidate has gained strength, attracting interest from both Barça and a European giant.
Bart Verbruggen, in the Spotlight of Two Giants
The chosen one is Bart Verbruggen, Brighton's goalkeeper. His security, reflexes, and quality with his feet have caught the attention of the Barça management. But Barça is not the only one interested in his services.
Bayern Munich has also set its sights on the young Dutch goalkeeper. The Germans are looking for a replacement for Manuel Neuer and are willing to make a significant investment to achieve it.
Bayern Willing to Pay 60 Million
Bayern Munich has taken the lead in the race for Verbruggen. According to recent reports, Bayern is preparing a 60M euro offer. Their need to find a successor for Neuer is much more urgent than Barça's.
This move could completely change the goalkeeping planning for the Catalan team. If Bayern secures the Dutchman's signing, Barça might delay its pursuit of a new goalkeeper.
Ter Stegen Remains the First Option
Bayern's entry into the negotiation gives Ter Stegen some breathing room. If the Germans take Verbruggen, Barça would keep the German as the undisputed starter for at least another year.
Everything indicates that the management will wait to see his performance after the injury before making a decision. The future of Barça's goalkeeping remains uncertain, but for now, Ter Stegen has been saved by Neuer.