Marc-André ter Stegen ‘in advanced talks’ over loan move from Barcelona to Girona

Barcelona captain Marc-André ter Stegen is reportedly in advanced talks over a loan move to Girona for the remainder of the season.

The 33-year-old Germany international, who missed the start of the campaign after undergoing back surgery in July, has played only once since returning to the first-team squad in December. 

That appearance, which came against third-tier Guadalajara in the Copa del Rey, encouraged Ter Stegen to believe that he would be given playing time in the cup competitions. However, it is looking increasingly like an outlier, with Ter Stegen’s omission from Thursday night’s starting lineup at Racing Santander, where Joan García continued in goal as Barcelona advanced to the Copa del Rey quarter-finals, apparently prompting a rethink on the German’s part.

Girona boss Míchel: ‘Ter Stegen is a top player’

Girona’s interest in signing Ter Stegen, whose hopes of featuring for Germany at this summer’s World Cup are contingent on playing time, is well established. Head coach Míchel is a confirmed admirer – “He’s a top player, everyone would love to have a player like him,” the Spaniard remarked last month – and with the club on a run of three wins from four games, Ter Stegen be joining a team looking up the table after a poor run of form towards the end of last year.

Ter Stegen’s salary, which would be shared between the two clubs, was previously regarded as an impediment to any deal. However, it is understood the goalkeeper is prepared to take a pay cut in order to push through the move.

‘Ter Stegen has to play,’ says Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann

Julian Nagelsmann, the Germany manager, has been clear over the need for Ter Stegen to accrue playing time in order to get the nod at the World Cup.

“It doesn’t matter if he stays in Barcelona or goes somewhere else, in the end he has to play,” Nagelsmann said last month. “We’ll all be happy for him if, after many years as a world-class goalkeeper in Manuel Neuer’s shadow, he gets the chance to be between the posts at a World Cup.”

Nagelsmann’s predecessor Hansi Flick, now in charge at Barcelona, has been similarly unequivocal about Ter Stegen’s position at club level.

“Joan García is the number one choice,” Flick said last month of the 24-year-old Spaniard signed from Espanyol last June. “We have our trust set on Joan and we don’t plan to change him any time soon.”

Aston Villa and Tottenham are among a host of European clubs credited with interest in acquiring Ter Stegen, but with custody arrangements for his two young children reportedly unresolved following his separation from wife Daniela Jehle last March, it is believed the German is reluctant to leave the Catalan capital.

A move to nearby Girona would therefore seem to make sense for Ter Stegen, who could complete the move as early as next week.