The serious injury suffered by Marc Andre Ter Stegen has significantly impacted the planning for the goalkeeping position at FC Barcelona, both in the medium and the long term.
For the short term, the Catalans have already incorporated the Polish veteran Wojciech Szczesny to compete with Inaki Pena for a starting spot between the sticks. This move allows Barcelona to have an experienced option on the bench who can replace Pena whenever the need arises.
But the Blaugranes are reportedly also looking at the market for a long-term replacement of the German goalie, and have been linked with several names for this purpose. As SPORT has reported, the latest goalkeeper to be linked with Barcelona is the Brighton and Hove Albion shot-stopper, Bart Verbruggen.
The Dutch goalie moved to the Premier League side in 2023 after showing good progression at NAC Breda and Anderlecht. He has also been performing in England at a very good level, and at only 22 years of age, he has a very bright future ahead of him. Thus, he can be a long-term bet for Barcelona.
Another goalkeeper who has been linked with Barcelona in recent weeks is the FC Porto player, Diogo Costa. He is Deco’s favorite candidate at the moment, but with several top European clubs interested in him, including Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea, Barcelona will find it hard to incorporate him, especially with their strained finances.
In such a scenario, there are some more affordable targets playing in Ligue 1, who are also in Barcelona’s sights. One of them is Marcel Bulka, who is currently playing for Nice, whose contractual situation can facilitate a move to Barcelona this summer. The Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier is also high on the Blaugranes’ list of candidates.
Barcelona are assessing their options for now, but the decision to sign a new goalkeeper will depend on two factors; Inaki Pena’s performances and Ter Stegen’s recovery.
If Pena continues to perform as he is doing now, he might be offered a renewal. Ter Stegen’s recovery will determine whether he can remain the club’s starting goalkeeper going forward.