Ter Stegen’s Potential Move to Girona: A Chance for Redemption

Marc-André ter Stegen has found himself increasingly marginalized at FC Barcelona, a club he joined in 2014 and where he has made 291 La Liga appearances. Once a dependable figure in goal and a Champions League winner in his debut season, his performance has been marred by errors, complacency, and injuries, impacting his consistency.

Under the management of Hansi Flick, the club has shifted focus away from the German international, opting to pursue the signing of Garcia to take over the starting position. Additionally, Wojciech Szczesny, despite previously retiring, has been prioritized over Ter Stegen, particularly after his return to professional football in October 2024 when Barcelona extended an offer.

In light of his current career stagnation, Ter Stegen is contemplating a departure from the club in pursuit of reinstatement in the national team. Reports from SPORT indicate that he is open to a move to Girona and is eager to finalize the transition this month.

The goalkeeper is resolute about re-entering Julian Nagelsmann’s World Cup plans and sees a six-month stint at Estadi Montilivi as a viable pathway to achieving this goal. Although he is considering leaving Camp Nou, Ter Stegen will not force the issue nor depart at any cost, indicating that he will not relinquish salary or financial benefits to facilitate a move. This position presents a challenge for Girona, which may struggle to meet Ter Stegen’s wage expectations.

Barcelona hopes to negotiate an agreement that allows Girona to cover a portion of his salary; however, the financial demands remain daunting for the Spanish side. Reports suggest that Barcelona is seeking the coverage of nearly a quarter of Ter Stegen’s weekly wages, with the goalkeeper urging Girona to present an offer more aligned with Barcelona’s requirements.

Ter Stegen made a long-awaited return to action in December, contributing to a 2-0 Copa del Rey victory over Guadalajara, where he kept a clean sheet and received commendations from Flick. “Marc is the captain and has played many games in the 12 years he has been here. We talked with the rest of the coaches and we wanted to give him the opportunity to play. He is back; it is only for this match and I think it is a good next step,” Flick stated.

As Girona seeks a new goalkeeper following the departure of Croatian Dominik Livakovic, head coach Michel has expressed interest in acquiring the German talent. “He’s a top player; everyone would like to have a goalkeeper like Ter Stegen,” he remarked.

Should Ter Stegen secure a transfer away from Barcelona, he will face significant pressure to perform at a level that captures Nagelsmann’s attention. The national coach has various goalkeeping options available, though none boast stellar reputations. Ter Stegen may see an opportunity to surpass Oliver Baumann, Alexander Nübel, or Noah Atubolu, who were included in Germany’s latest squad for World Cup qualifiers. However, he must consistently deliver strong performances to reclaim his place in the team.