Aston Villa, Girona interested in signing out-of-favour Barcelona captain – report | OneFootball

Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s situation at Barcelona is becoming one of the most closely watched subplots of the season. 

This is because a recent update from Fernando Pollo in Mundo Deportivo has revealed that the likes of Girona and Aston Villa are actively monitoring the German goalkeeper’s status.

On paper, Ter Stegen’s future should be settled. He remains under contract with Barcelona until 2028 and is one of the most experienced figures in the squad. 

However, reality paints a more complex picture, as Joan Garcia is currently the first choice.

This change in hierarchy has major implications for Ter Stegen, especially at the international level. 

The German goalkeeper needs regular minutes if he wants to convince Julian Nagelsmann to hand him the starting role for the Germany national football team at the next World Cup. 

Sitting on the bench for long periods would seriously weaken his case.

So now what?

Ter Stegen has no shortage of suitors. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

As a result, Ter Stegen faces a defining decision. One option is to look for a move, even a temporary one, that guarantees him a starting role for the remainder of the season. 

The other is to stay at Barcelona under Flick’s management, fully aware that he is no longer the undisputed number one. 

Meanwhile, interest from other clubs has not faded. In recent weeks, several teams have discreetly checked on his physical condition, and one of those clubs is Aston Villa. 

While Villa currently rely on Emiliano Martinez, he has recently struggled with back issues that have forced him to miss games. 

Girona are another club keeping a close eye on developments. They face uncertainty in goal, with Dominik Livakovic expected to leave Montilivi in the upcoming winter window. 

Ter Stegen’s experience and profile make him an attractive solution, even if such a move would be delicate given the rivalry dynamics in Spain.