Simple fact: Why Barcelona need to replace Ter Stegen with Joan Garcia | OneFootball

It has been over a decade since Barcelona aggressively pushed for a major goalkeeper signing in the transfer market, but Hansi Flick appears to have got his priorities spot on ahead of next season.

Regardless of Wojciech Szczesny’s eventual decision, Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s dip in form in recent seasons does not leave him as a favourable candidate to serve as a de facto starter for the club. His repeated surgeries only further the case against him.

By solidifying their position as Joan Garcia’s preferred destination, the Catalans are one step closer to bringing in one of the best goalkeepers in Spain for a bargain fee and could thus receive a significant boost ahead of next season.

Why Ter Stegen must go

Reducing Ter Stegen’s contributions at the club to nothing is not the right way to go, for the German star has indeed had some impressive seasons in the Blaugrana colours over the years.

What is clear, however, is that he is no longer as formidable in between the posts as he once was and his diminishing presence at the back is a growing concern.

Ter Stegen has a woeful penalty record in La Liga. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

According to a statistic revealed by The Touchline, Ter Stegen has saved just two penalties in La Liga since joining Barcelona over a decade ago in 2014.

Considering that he has faced 22 spot-kicks in that duration, he has saved less than 10% of the penalties he has faced.

Joan Garcia, in comparison, has saved two penalties this season alone and has thus matched Ter Stegen’s career record in La Liga in just one season.

What makes it more impressive is that he has faced just six penalties and has thus saved 33% of the spot-kicks taken against him.

As revealed earlier today, Garcia’s green light to join Barcelona is just around the corner and the deal is almost close to done. Given the interest in the player, however, the Catalans will look to make it official at the earliest.