Barcelona Open Talks With Marc-André Ter Stegen Over Contract Extension
By Max Cooper
Barcelona have begun 'loose' talks with goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen over a contract extension, with the German's current deal set to expire at the end of the 2021/22 season.
The 27-year-old has been in excellent form this year, making vital contributions throughout the campaign - which is a relief for Barça fans, considering just how poorly their side has played thus far.
The Spanish champions are desperate to tie Ter Stegen's long-term future to the club, as he is seen as irreplaceable at Camp Nou, given his match-winning performances and extraordinary shot-stopping abilities.
And fortunately for la Blaugrana, the German international is keen to extend his stay in Catalonia too, although during an interview with Mundo Deportivo, he admitted 'there's no hurry' on his part to put pen to paper.
“I have two years left on my contract, my family and I are very well here, we are at home," Ter Stegen said.
"The intention is to continue, the philosophy and the idea go quite well together. At the moment there are conversations, but loose, because there is no hurry on my part. I am very focused on my work, we have a very complicated weeks ahead and we want to win.
"The whole issue of the contract is left to my agent, who is dedicated to it and who informs me of everything.”
Ter Stegen's reluctance to make an immediate decision over his long-term future is understandable, considering the current predicament in which the Barça squad finds itself.
The shot-stopper was unable to prevent his side from losing 2-0 in the huge Clásico clash with Real Madrid on Sunday evening, although he did pull off one of the saves of the season to keep the scores level at 0-0.
The defeat means that Madrid have now leapfrogged their rivals at the summit of the table, and Barça's reign of Spain could be brought to an end in May.
Failure to win the league title, another premature exit from the Champions League and an inability to strengthen a poor squad could leave the likes of Ter Stegen assessing their options in the summer, as the stars begin to grow tired of the neglect that surrounds the team.