Barcelona goalkeeper, Marc Andre Ter Stegen has reportedly emerged as a transfer target for Al Hilal.
The move coincides with mounting doubts about the German’s future at Barca after the team made a strong drive to sign Joan Garcia from Espanyol.
Even while Ter Stegen has long been seen as an impenetrable cornerstone in Barcelona recently, the club’s internal dynamics are obviously changing.
The Spanish club’s move to pursue Garcia as a long-term replacement has drawn criticism and sparked rumors that the seasoned shot-stopper may no longer be a key component of the team’s ambitions.
According to reports, Barcelona have decided to wait until Garcia’s deal is official before having formal discussions with Ter Stegen on his future.
This silence, particularly from a club captain, has only strengthened the notion that the Blaugrana’s management is secretly hoping the German will look to leave this summer.
Both financial and tactical factors are at play. Barcelona sees a chance to lessen their salary burden as Ter Stegen commands one of the highest salaries in the dressing room. And to prevent any tensions that might arise from having three starting-calibre goalkeepers.
According to Barca Universal, Al Hilal are once more expressing a great deal of interest in Ter Stegen. The German was adamantly opposed to leaving Europe when they had approached him last summer.
Now, things might be different. Al-Hilal might be the only practical choice because his future is no longer assured and elite European teams are unlikely to match his wage or offer him a starting position.
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