Ter Stegen no longer plays a major role at Barcelona. © ANSA / Enric Fontcuberta

Rumors of a loan: Is Germany's goalkeeper about to leave?

Speculation about the future of national football goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen continues unabated.

30 December 2025

From: dpa

According to Spanish media reports, negotiations are ongoing regarding a loan move for the Barcelona star to relegation-threatened Catalan club FC Girona. Girona coach Michel would certainly like to have the 33-year-old on his team. "He's a top player. What club wouldn't want a goalkeeper like ter Stegen?" the coach said in an interview at an awards ceremony.

Ter Stegen lost his status as Barça's long-standing number one after coach Hansi Flick designated new signing Joan García as the new first-choice goalkeeper in the summer. The former Mönchengladbach goalkeeper underwent back surgery in July and has only made one competitive appearance this season – two weeks ago in the cup against CD Guadalajara (2-0).

Ter Stegen remains silent

Ter Stegen's contract with Barcelona runs until 2028. According to media reports, the financially struggling Catalan club wants to offload the German goalkeeper to save on his multi-million euro salary. The goalkeeper, for his part, needs regular playing time to maintain his chances of being in goal for the German national team at the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Ter Stegen wants to go to the World Cup. © ANSA / Enric Fontcuberta

National coach Julian Nagelsmann had already stated in November that Ter Stegen needed to "play reasonably well" before the tournament. However, this didn't necessarily have to be at a top club. Everything, therefore, pointed to a club change – and yet, according to Spanish media reports, ter Stegen remains firmly determined to stay in Barcelona and continue fighting for the number one spot at the club and for a place in the German squad. The player, meanwhile, continues to remain silent about his future.