The end of the 2024/25 La Liga season has triggered a wave of speculation over the future of the Barcelona goalkeeper position.
La Blaugrana fans have heard rumours of club captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen potentially leaving the club this summer amid links to a shock transfer move for Espanyol No.1 Joan Garcia.
However, despite the whispers about his future following a long-term injury, Ter Stegen has rubbished rumours over his departure.
The German international’s current contract runs until 2028 and he is ready to be first-choice again in 2025/26.
However, despite his stance on the matter, reports from transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claim Garcia remains as a viable option due to his €25m [$28m] release clause.
Ter Stegen is already 33, and the Catalans are unsure over his durability for the long-term, but he is in line to remain in place for the forseable.
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Polish veteran Wojciech Szczesny – who came out of his retirement to replace Ter Stegen during his injury layoff – is keen to stay at the club for at least another season.
Hansi Flick also wants to keep the former Juventus star for his experience and big-game ability.
What did Ter Stegen say about Barcelona future?
Ter Stegen is currently on international duty with Germany ahead of their upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures and he is hoping to use the camp as a building block to a club return in preseason.
“Am I affected by the rumours the club wants to sell me? No one has told me about this, so I don’t know the situation. I’m not worried. I know I will be at Barcelona next year,” he told the reporters from Mundo Deportivo.
“I haven’t spoken to Hansi [Flick] and there hasn’t been any contact in the last few days because I don’t see any reason for that at the moment. No event has occurred that justifies the conversation. Honestly, the focus is here now.
“Barcelona is one of the biggest clubs in the world and there’s always competition, no matter the circumstances. It’s natural Barcelona always seek to develop and improve, that’s clear to me. I will always try to do my best.”
For now, reports suggest Barcelona are keen to secure Garcia and retain Szczesny as backup and that will ramp up the focus on Ter Stegen.
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