Girona coach Michel is fueling speculation about a winter transfer of Marc-André ter Stegen to the 18th-placed team in the Spanish league. The national team goalkeeper must decide in the next few days how he will proceed with regard to the World Cup.
When Girona’s Madrid-born coach Michel received an award from the Catalan Football Federation on Monday evening for his integration in Catalonia, he was unable to avoid questions about his club’s possible interest in signing Marc-André ter Stegen in the winter.
Although the 50-year-old did not want to confirm or deny the media reports, he made his admiration for the German national goalkeeper clear at the award ceremony, saying succinctly: “He is a top player. Everyone would like to have ter Stegen.”
Ter Stegen needs playing time
Ter Stegen no longer has a future at FC Barcelona, and Joan Garcia is coach Hansi Flick’s number one. In order to gain playing experience ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada, a transfer in the winter seems realistic.
National coach Julian Nagelsmann also made this clear recently. “It’s important that he plays,” said Nagelsmann, “whether that’s at a top European club or not is not the decisive factor.” But: “Of course, it would be good if he also plays reasonably well.”
Ter Stegen must therefore decide in the next few days how to proceed with his future. It may well be that his future lies in Catalonia, where FC Girona, currently 18th in the table and one point behind safety in La Liga, is fighting to stay up.
Ter Stegen could excel in Girona. With 33 goals conceded in 17 games, the defense is the worst in the league. In addition, Girona is only about 100 km north of Barcelona. Ter Stegen, who is separated from his wife, would therefore not be far from his two sons.
Barca vice president remains silent
Barca vice president Rafa Yuste, who was also at the award ceremony, did not answer any questions about the 33-year-old keeper, unlike Michel. He simply said: “I wish Michel good luck, because they are not having an easy time at the moment, but I am sure that Girona will remain in the Primera Division with him as coach.”
According to consistent reports in the Spanish media, Barca is currently in intensive negotiations with Girona over a loan deal until the end of the season. FC Barcelona would then probably have to cover a large part of ter Stegen’s salary. The long-time captain is under contract with Barca until 2028.
