Chelsea weigh up move for huge La Liga name | OneFootball

Chelsea weigh up loan move for Barcelona goalkeeper amid Maignan pursuit

Chelsea explore options to fix goalkeeper crisis

Chelsea’s search for a dependable No.1 has taken a dramatic turn. According to Goal, the club are considering a loan move for Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who finds himself out of favour at the Camp Nou after nearly a decade as the undisputed starter.

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The German’s fall from grace has been swift and bruising. Once the heartbeat of Barcelona’s defence, Ter Stegen has been displaced by Joan Garcia, the former Espanyol goalkeeper whose €25 million arrival has sparked internal tension. For a figure so long associated with calm authority, his situation has unravelled in a surprisingly turbulent way.

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It is understood that Chelsea view the 31-year-old as a potential short-term solution to their long-standing issues between the posts. Robert Sanchez’s performances have not convinced Enzo Maresca, and the need for a commanding, experienced voice in goal has become a priority heading into the new year.

Rift between Ter Stegen and Barcelona deepens

Ter Stegen’s relationship with Barcelona has deteriorated sharply in recent months. After undergoing back surgery in the summer, he reportedly angered club officials by sharing his recovery progress on social media without consulting the medical team. The post, seen as unprofessional by the hierarchy, was followed by further tension when he allegedly refused to sign a release form granting access to his medical files.

The dispute delayed Garcia’s registration just days before La Liga kicked off, prompting fury within the boardroom. Legal action was even discussed before a fragile truce was established. Barcelona temporarily stripped him of the captain’s armband to underline their stance that no individual was bigger than the club. Though it was later reinstated, the relationship appears damaged beyond repair.

Former Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny empathised with his colleague, telling Mundo Deportivo: “I don’t think it’s a pleasant situation. I was in the same situation with Juventus and decided to retire from football. I don’t advise the same thing to Marc, because he still has a lot to contribute to football, but I think sometimes, in this job, you have to accept that some decisions hurt you.”

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Szczesny added: “It must be frustrating for him after being such an important player for so many years, but Marc is a very intelligent guy. I think he understands. It’s not just a decision for the club’s present, but also for the future. The most important thing for him now is to get back into shape.”

Maignan still Chelsea’s long-term target

While a January loan move for Ter Stegen would provide short-term stability, Chelsea’s long-term focus remains firmly on AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan. The Frenchman has been admired by the Stamford Bridge hierarchy for over a year, with talks previously taking place before the Club World Cup.

Maignan’s contract with Milan runs until 2026, but Chelsea are confident they can lure him away once it enters its final 12 months. They believe the 28-year-old’s blend of distribution, reflexes and leadership makes him the ideal candidate to anchor Enzo Maresca’s high-possession system.

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However, competition is fierce. Both Bayern Munich and Juventus are reportedly preparing to make their own offers, recognising Maignan’s growing influence as one of Europe’s finest keepers. Chelsea are aware that any move will likely depend on player preference and Champions League qualification, two factors that could shape the coming months at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea’s rebuilding priorities

Chelsea’s interest in Ter Stegen is pragmatic. A loan deal would bring top-level experience without the financial commitment of another major signing, giving the club time to recalibrate its long-term goalkeeping plans.

Sources close to the club suggest Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel is another name under consideration. The Swiss international fits the mould of a modern keeper but is tied to Dortmund until 2028, making any deal complicated.

Maresca’s insistence on a goalkeeper who can dictate play from deep mirrors the direction of Chelsea’s broader rebuild. After years of turnover and instability, the club are seeking calm and continuity, qualities embodied, at his best, by Ter Stegen. Whether the German is ready for a Premier League challenge remains to be seen, but for Chelsea, the intent is clear: fix the foundations, restore confidence, and end the uncertainty between the posts.

In a season where progress is measured in structure rather than silverware, the goalkeeper position could prove the final piece of Maresca’s evolving puzzle.

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The idea of Ter Stegen arriving, even temporarily, carries a certain allure. His pedigree, leadership and composure would undoubtedly bring reassurance to a defence that has often looked disjointed.

Fans, however, may question whether another short-term fix is truly the answer. Chelsea have spent heavily in recent years, often on players intended to solve immediate problems rather than build lasting stability. A loan deal, while logical, risks feeling like another temporary patch rather than a genuine step forward.

Maignan, by contrast, represents a statement of long-term intent. At 28, he offers prime years ahead and fits perfectly with Maresca’s desire for control and precision from the back. Yet supporters know such deals rarely come easy, especially with Europe’s biggest clubs circling.

For many fans, the hope is simple: clarity and conviction. Whether it’s Ter Stegen, Maignan, or another name entirely, Chelsea need consistency in goal to underpin their rebuild. The team can only progress when the backline feels secure, and that, perhaps more than any marquee signing, could be the difference between stagnation and genuine progress under Maresca.