Barcelona seems poised to experience further departures this summer, following the exits of Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, and Gerard Pique last season. Speculation is rife that Marcos Alonso and Sergi Roberto may be on their way out this summer as well. However, in addition to these potential exits, the club might find itself in need of a replacement for Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
At 31 years old, ter Stegen, the goalkeeper, has emerged as the first vice-captain at Barcelona this season, nearing his tenth year with the club. He often wears the captain’s armband in the absence of regular starter Sergi Roberto. Reports have surfaced that Al-Ittihad, a club based in Saudi Arabia, has shown interest in signing ter Stegen, with Sporting Director Ramon Planes seeking to reunite with the German shot-stopper.
While ter Stegen’s stance on a potential move remains unclear, Matteo Moretto, speaking to The Daily Briefing, suggests that Barcelona would be open to considering an offer from Al-Ittihad for ter Stegen should one materialize this summer. The Catalan club finds itself in need of urgent sales to address financial concerns. Despite ter Stegen’s importance to the team, Barcelona might view his departure as a necessity given their financial constraints. This summer could represent one of the last opportunities for Barcelona to secure a significant transfer fee for ter Stegen, considering his age. However, Sporting Director Deco will need to weigh the potential cost of finding a suitable replacement should ter Stegen depart.
The Future of Marc-Andre ter Stegen Hangs in the Balance
As speculation surrounding a potential departure for Marc-Andre ter Stegen continues to swirl, Barcelona faces a pivotal decision regarding the future of their veteran goalkeeper. Ter Stegen, who has become a cornerstone of the team over the years, now finds himself the subject of interest from Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad, led by former Barcelona Sporting Director Ramon Planes.
The situation presents a conundrum for Barcelona, as they navigate both financial constraints and the need to maintain competitiveness on the pitch. With ter Stegen approaching the latter stages of his career at 31 years old, Barcelona must weigh the possibility of securing a significant transfer fee against the potential challenge of finding a suitable replacement. Moreover, the German goalkeeper’s approval will be crucial in determining whether a move to Al-Ittihad materializes.
