Xavi Hernandez has reportedly vetoed the departure of 30-year-old German goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who will stay put at FC Barcelona.
According to a report by Spanish publication AS, Marc-Andre ter Stegen will likely remain at FC Barcelona beyond the summer transfer window. Xavi Hernandez has ruled out the exit of the 30-year-old goalkeeper, asserting that he is a key figure in his side for the foreseeable future.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen has come leaps and bounds since joining Barcelona from Borussia Monchengladbach in July 2014. The German international has been one of the most reliable performers for the Blaugrana for much of his ongoing eight-year stint. However, he has been susceptible to making errors in the last couple of years.
The 30-year-old has a solid record for Barcelona, keeping 128 clean sheets in 323 appearances thus far while letting in 327 goals in the process. But ter Stegen faces an uncertain at Camp Nou amid recent reports suggesting that he could be surplus to requirement for Barcelona amid their ongoing financial crisis.
The Catalan giants only have a few players whose sales can singlehandedly go a long way in balancing their books while funding moves in the summer transfer window. One such player is Frenkie de Jong, who has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United in the last few weeks.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen falls in the same category, with the 30-year-old star likely to fetch a healthy sum from his sale. That explains why widespread reports have recently suggested that Barcelona could look to cash in on the German international in the summer transfer window.
But ter Stegen’s potential sale will mean Barcelona will have to invest in a new top-class goalkeeper, as Neto has been heavily linked with a summer departure from Camp Nou. However, Xavi Hernandez has no intention to lose the services of ter Stegen in the summer transfer window.
The Barcelona boss has asserted that the 30-year-old is a crucial member of his squad and that he does not want the club to cash in on the German international. Xavi’s veto on the matter should end the speculation surrounding ter Stegen for good, leaving de Jong as the likeliest cash cow for the Blaugrana.