Chelsea, Inter monitor Ter Stegen’s Barca contract talks
Chelsea and Inter Milan are monitoring Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s situation at Barcelona with the goalkeeper into the final two years of his contract, according to ESPN sources.
Both clubs acknowledge that luring Ter Stegen away from Barca is a long shot but want to position themselves at the front of the queue in case he fails to reach an agreement over a renewal at Camp Nou.
Former Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has taken on a significant part in their transfer operations since he was appointed to the role of technical and performance advisor last summer.
Sources explain that he played a major role behind the scenes in the deal to sign Timo Werner from RB Leipzig and he’s leading the club’s charm offensive for Ter-Stegen, who he views not only as an outstanding goalkeeper but also as a leader.
ESPN ‘s Mark Ogden has reported that Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has lost faith in No.1 Kepa Arrizabalaga — who is the world’s most-expensive goalkeeper, having cost £71m in 2018 — and is on the lookout for a man between the sticks.
Inter, meanwhile, have also made contact with Ter Stegen’s camp as they begin to prepare for life beyond Samir Handanovic. He will be almost 37 when his contract expires in 2021 and they have reached out to Ter-Stegen about the possibility of doing a deal next summer.
Read Also: Beware of another collapse, Guardiola warns Man City stars
Ter-Stegen, 28, has always expressed a desire to continue at Barca, who he joined from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2014.
However, while he is willing to make sacrifices over a new deal due to the financial effects of the coronavirus pandemic, he would still like his importance to the side to be reflected in any new contract and see signs that the club are building for the future with much of the first team’s core having been there when they won their last Champions League in 2015.