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Why Marc-Andre ter Stegen is set for shock Barcelona exit as German faces being third-choice goalkeeper under Hansi Flick

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Article continues below

Article continues below

  • Ter Stegen's fall made clear
  • Barcelona bringing in Garcia
  • German to be offered deal to leave
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  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    SPORT writes that Ter Stegen reacted badly to being overlooked in the latter stages of Barcelona's Champions League run, having returned from a long-term knee injury in early May. Flick stuck with Wojciech Szczesny for the second leg of the semi-final against Inter, to Ter Stegen's apparent displeasure. But instead of travelling with the rest of the squad to Milan in support, like others who were unavailable did, he stayed behind to train alone.

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    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    His attitude hasn't been well received by the rest of the squad and it might better explain why Barcelona have been so keen to sign Joan Garcia from Espanyol, with that deal expected to be confirmed soon. If Garcia is installed as number on and Szczesny remains as backup, there isn't room for Ter Stegen.

  • DID YOU KNOW?

    Ter Stegen's relationship with Flick is rumoured not to have been the best even before the latter arrived to succeed Xavi last summer. It stems from Flick's time in charge of the German national team and his preference for Manuel Neuer, over Ter Stegen, as starter.

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    WHAT NEXT?

    Ter Stegen's choice is to stay as third choice and not play, or move on. The club stands to save significant money from a salary perspective if they can offload him and a separate SPORT report claims that Barcelona are even prepared to offer a year's wages as a lump sum to end his contract. But whether he takes that deal - even though staying and not playing would kill his chances of starting for Germany at the World Cup next summer - remains unclear, as SPORT adds that the club don't expect Ter Stegen to make it easy.