Bayern Munich are plotting a world record £90 million move for Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, after contract talks with Manuel Neuer stalled.
According to reports in Spain (h/t Daily Mail), European heavyweights Bayern Munich are planning a summer swoop for Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen as they eye a long-term replacement for current first-choice Manuel Neuer.
Neuer, 34, will be entering the final year of his contract with Bayern at the end of the season. However, talks over a new deal have hit a brick wall, after he rejected the club’s one-year extension offer. With talks unlikely to resume, Die Roten are putting plans in place to replace the veteran custodian with fellow German Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Bayern will be boosted by the arrival of Alexander Nubel, who is regarded as one of the best young goalkeepers in Germany from Schalke in the summer. However, the German giants are keen on bringing in a world-class replacement for Neuer, should the club part ways with the veteran goalkeeper, amid interest from Chelsea.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen has established himself as one of the finest in his position since moving to Barcelona from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2014. The German international has made over 200 appearances for the Catalans, winning a host of trophies, including the UEFA Champions League.
The 27-year-old has been one of the best performers for Barcelona, playing a huge role in their rise to the summit of the La Liga standings.
ter Stegen has a contract with Barcelona that runs till the summer of 2022. The report states that the Blaugrana have made attempts to extend his contract, but have been met with refusal from the German, who is unhappy with the wages being offered.
Now, Bayern are hoping to lure him away from Camp Nou and to that end are plotting a huge £90 million outlay for ter Stegen. Such a move, should it go through, would see ter Stegen become the world’s most expensive goalkeeper, eclipsing the £72 million Chelsea paid for Kepa Arrizabalaga two years ago.
On one hand, Barcelona are reluctant to lose their star goalkeeper, but are also in need of generating funds to sign Neymar back from PSG, who are demanding €150 million for the Brazilian.
It will be interesting to see if Bayern do allow Neuer to leave this summer and launch a move to try and sign ter Stegen. It should be noted that the two custodians have a history of rivalry with regard to the No. 1 spot for the German national team.
