From Barca Bench to Girona: Ter Stegen's Winter Escape Plan

Update: Ter Stegen's Possible Girona Move

Ter Stegen is poised to leave Barcelona.

The Spanish club Girona is close to signing Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen to bolster the squad during the winter transfer window.

Stegen has fallen out of the coach's plans in recent times, as German coach Hans Flick relied on Wojciech Szczesny for a spell before Juan Garcia returned in goal for Barça and established himself as the first-choice with extraordinary form since moving to the Blaugrana.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, via his official X account, said Girona is close to finalizing a half-season loan for Stegen.

"A final agreement has been reached with the German goalkeeper, who has agreed to join Girona."

Romano added that there are still a few details to clarify with Barcelona about the loan, and Girona hopes to seal the deal next week; the arrangement is close.

The German goalkeeper needs regular minutes in the season's final months to impress the German national team coach ahead of the World Cup in the United States in the summer of 2026.

Punchline 1: If he keeps a clean sheet in Girona, he’ll finally get a chance to prove he’s more than a bench-warmer with a fancy cape.

Punchline 2: In Girona, even the weather won’t stop the ball—though a winter loan might at least stop Barca from calling him back every other week.