Barcelona will be confronted with another tricky situation in January: what to do with Marc-Andre Ter Stegen. He ended up staying in the summer after undergoing surgery on his back, but his future is still expected to lie away from the Catalan club.
Barcelona had wanted to sell Ter Stegen during the summer transfer window, but the Germany international made it clear that he had no desire to leave. His decision to have a recurring back issue fixed via an operation ensured that he could not depart, although that create another tension in itself when he initially refused to sign a medical document stating that his absence could allow the club to register Joan Garcia in his place.
Ter Stegen was temporarily stripped from his position as captain, but after agreeing to sign the medical document, he was re-instated. Nevertheless, there is no guarantee that he will be re-registered in January, meaning that it is possible that he departs – most likely on loan, as it will allow him to play regularly ahead of next summer’s World Cup.
As per Sport (via CaughtOffside), Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United are all said to have launched enquiries in recent weeks, as they seek to understand the situation with Ter Stegen. Barcelona are more than happy to let him go, although they would require their terms to be met.
Man United were linked with signing Ter Stegen in the summer, but a deal was not possible at that time. The 33-year-old could be more open to the move when the transfer window re-opens in January, given that he needs to play football in order to ensure that he starts for Germany at the World Cup.
