Spanish press reports, particularly from the Catalan newspaper Sport, indicate that Barcelona's veteran German goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen is close to a surprising move within La Liga during the upcoming winter transfer window.
The core of the issue stems from the technical decisions of Barcelona's new German manager, Hansi Flick. Despite recovering from a back injury, Ter Stegen finds himself as the third-choice goalkeeper behind Spanish keeper Iñaki Peña (referred to in the source as Juan García) and the veteran Wojciech Szczęsny. This dramatic marginalization, with the 2026 World Cup approaching, is pushing the German national team goalkeeper to seek regular playing time elsewhere to secure his place with "Die Mannschaft."
While initial rumors linked him with a move to the English Premier League, that door now appears firmly shut. English club Aston Villa, despite its good relationship with Barcelona, has officially ended any talk of interest. The club confirmed its complete satisfaction with its goalkeeping duo of Emiliano Martínez and Marco Bizot, stating the position is "adequately covered." Furthermore, Sport confirms there are currently no negotiations regarding a potential swap deal that would send Ter Stegen to Aston Villa and bring Spanish defender Pau Torres to Barcelona.
The most unexpected twist in this transfer saga is the emerging frontrunner: Girona. Reports indicate Ter Stegen is now strongly leaning towards a move to the Catalan neighbors. The "excellent relations" between the two clubs are seen as a key facilitator for this deal. For Girona, currently performing exceptionally well in La Liga, signing a goalkeeper of Ter Stegen's caliber and experience would be a massive coup.
Ter Stegen's season has been extremely limited, featuring in only one match so far: a Copa del Rey game against third-division side Guadalajara on December 16th, where he kept a clean sheet. Since then, he has been an unused substitute in matches against Osasuna and Villarreal, and in the Champions League against Eintracht Frankfurt, underscoring his reduced role.
A move to Girona would represent a profound shift for a player whose name has been synonymous with Barcelona for nearly a decade. It would keep him in the Spanish top flight, providing a prestigious platform to prove his worth to German national team selectors. For Barcelona, it would mean parting ways with a modern club legend, signaling a definitive new era under Hansi Flick's vision.
As the winter transfer period approaches, all eyes are on Catalonia, awaiting the completion of what could be one of the most talked-about intra-league transfers of this season.