Barcelona have reportedly identified Gianluigi Donnarumma as a possible option to replace Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who could be allowed to leave next year.

According to a report from Spanish publication Fichajes, Barcelona are preparing for a future without star goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen and have identified PSG superstar Gianluigi Donnarumma as a potential option to replace the German international.

Ter Stegen has been with Barcelona since 2014, having arrived from boyhood club Borussia Monchengladbach. During his time at Camp Nou, the 29-year-old has grown into one of the best in the game in his position. To date, he has made 289 appearances for the Catalan giants, keeping a total of 116 clean sheets in the process.

Ter Stegen signed a new contract with Barcelona only last year, extending his stay at Camp Nou till the summer of 2025. However, with the club’s financial situation being as it is, it is being claimed that the Catalans may consider offloading him in the summer next year and are already readying a list of candidates to replace him in such an eventuality.

And, Paris Saint-Germain stopper, Gianluigi Donnarumma, has emerged as one of the options on the Catalan club’s radars. The 22-year-old AC Milan academy graduate has established himself as one of the best young goalkeepers in the game. Having made over 250 appearances for the Rossoneri, he left for PSG this past summer, but game-time has not come as regularly in France.

Donnarumma on Barcelona's radar (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Donnarumma on Barcelona’s radar (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Indeed, Donnarumma has featured just three times in all competitions for Les Parisiens, with Keylor Navas still being the preferred option in goal in the French capital. This is despite Donnarumma putting in stunning displays and being named Player of the Tournament at the UEFA Euro 2020 where he helped Italy lift the trophy.

Donnarumma’s situation has led to speculations about his future just months after his move to the French capital. Clubs like Chelsea, Manchester United are keeping tabs on him, as are Barcelona. The Italian international had been linked with the Blaugrana prior to his free transfer move to PSG and should it happen that they end up cashing in on ter Stegen, Barca plan to move in on Donnarumma in 2022.

However, a deal will be anything but straightforward considering that PSG would likely demand a massive sum as transfer fee while agent Mino Raiola also stands to command a significant commission. So, it would not come as a surprise if Barcelona sought other, more affordable options such as former academy graduate Andre Onana, who himself is considering returning to Catalonia.

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