Manchester United have a number of positions that they want to strengthen in the January transfer window and the Red Devils have already reportedly lodged an offer for a major Barcelona star
Manchester United are said to have lodged an offer for Barcelona star Marc-Andre ter Stegen with the German tipped for a January loan move. The goalkeeper has endured a difficult season in Catalonia.
He was shunted down the pecking order by summer signing Joan Garcia following his arrival from Espanyol. That then led to Ter Stegen undergoing surgery for a long-term back issue and he has been sidelined ever since.
A loan move away from Barcelona has been touted for the 33-year-old as he attempts to build his fitness ahead of next summer’s World Cup. And it appears that Man United could offer him a solution.
It was reported in Spain last month that Red Devils chiefs had made contact over signing Ter Stegen, while El Desmarque have further revealed that the German has received ‘several offers’, including from United and Turkish side Besiktas.
It is suggested that all clubs interested are keeping a close eye on his recovery ahead of any potential swoop. Ter Stegen was signed from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2014 and he has gone on to make 422 Barcelona appearances, winning six league titles, six Spanish cups and the Champions League.
“I know I’ll be at Barcelona next year,” the German international said about his future in the summer. “No one has spoken to me about this, and it’s always difficult to comment on everything. I know I’ll be at Barcelona next year.”
Meanwhile, Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has recently revealed that a breakdown in communication was to blame for Ter Stegen’s current situation. Speaking to Sport Bild, he said: ”Has it all always gone so well in terms of communication?
“I think there is a lot to improve, also from my side. He is a top goalkeeper and he gets support from all of us.”
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“You have a very young, talented goalkeeper in Joan García, who is at a very good level, and we all decided together that this should be the future of Barcelona. So it was clear what our approach was,” he added.
“It’s important to me that Marc and the club have come closer and have really sought communication. For me, it’s important that Marc comes back now. He’s a top goalkeeper and he’s getting all the support from us so that he can play at his level again.”
Any move from United would be intriguing given how impressive Senne Lammens has been at Old Trafford since his summer switch from Royal Antwerp.