German goalkeeper set to move to FC Barcelona?

After Victor Valdes’ announcement that he will leave Barcelona in the summer of 2014, the Catalan giants have been linked to a host of goalkeepers. The shortlist has been recently narrowed down though, and likes of Jose Manuel Reina and Thibault Courtois have emerged as the favourites to take the place of Valdes between the sticks at the Nou Camp.

However, according Borussia Monchengladbach manager Lucien Favre, young Marc-Andre ter Stegen is likely to be the man to replace Valdes. Favre said that he would ideally want to keep hold of ter Stegen but admitted that when the club of the size of Barcelona come calling, it will be hard for anyone to reject the Spanish giants’ advances.

Favre said, “We hope that he stays with us, but when a club like Barcelona comes for you, well… We have to be realistic, but remain hopeful.”

Despite being only 21-years old, ter Stegen has been one of the star men between the sticks in the German Bundesliga over the last couple of seasons. The young man had established himself as the number one choice at the Borussia-Park at the age of 19, taking over from regular first choice Logan Bailly in 2011.

The German International has played an integral part in Monchengladbach’s fine start this season as well, in which they currently occupy third spot as Favre’s men bid to win a Champions League spot.

The 21-year old maybe very young but he can prove to be a more than capable successor to Valdes at Barcelona having displayed some impressive performances in his relatively short career so far.

Ter-Stegen has already made over a 100 appearances for Monchengladbach and has been capped 3 times by the German National team.