Manchester United are set to be joined in the race for Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen by local rivals Manchester City, according to a report.
Ter Stegen, 33, will see his first-team opportunities at Camp Nou drastically reduced next season after Barcelona agreed a deal to sign Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia.
Garcia, 24, has emerged as one of the best shot stoppers in Spain this season and attracted interest from a host of clubs across Europe, including United, due to a £21 million release clause in his contract with Espanyol.
Barcelona have now triggered this and the Spaniard is set to cross the Catalan divide to become Blaugrana’s new number one, in place of Ter Stegen.
As a result, the Germany international has been linked with a move away from Camp Nou with United suggested as a possible destination to provide an upgrade on Andre Onana.
Onana has endured a miserable campaign for the Red Devils with a series of high-profile mistakes since Ruben Amorim arrived in November, despite starting the season well under Erik ten Hag. His deputy, Altay Bayindir, has also committed game-changing errors when selected by Amorim in the Cameroonian’s stead.
The need for a new goalkeeper is acute and the attraction of a number one with with the pedigree and quality of Ter Stegen is obvious at Old Trafford.
Premier League rival Chelsea, as well as Turkish champions Galatasaray, are also tracking Ter Stegen, with reports indicating Barcelona may even be willing to let the 33-year-old leave on a free transfer.
However, TEAMtalk now reports City are ready to join United in the hunt for German as the Citizens consider options in case current number one Ederson leaves this summer.
“Manchester City have joined Manchester United in the race for Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, as they anticipate the departure of Ederson, TEAMtalk understands.
“Interest from Premier League clubs in experienced stopper Ter Stegen is now growing. TEAMtalk exclusively revealed on June 8 that Man Utd and Chelsea have both made enquiries, and Man City are now showing interest.
“Chelsea asked about Ter Stegen before initiating talks with AC Milan over goalkeeper Mike Maignan. Meanwhile, Man Utd continue to view Ter Stegen as a potential replacement for Andre Onana, whose future at the club remains uncertain.”
Pep Guardiola’s side have “added Ter Stegen to their shortlist of potential replacements for Ederson” as the Brazilian goalkeeper’s contract expires next year, meaning a sale could be forced this summer to avoid him leaving on a free.
City would be able to offer the gambit of Champions League football in negotiations with Ter Stegen – a contrast with a move to the red side of Manchester that could prove deadly to United’s chances of winning the race for the 33-year-old star.
Feature image Alex Caparros via Getty Images
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
