Marc-Andre ter Stegen is getting closer and closer to closing a historic chapter at FC Barcelona. The German goalkeeper, one of the club's key figures of the last decade, is close to joining Girona on loan until the end of the season, according to ESPN. This decision is driven by a lack of playing time and his desire to remain competitive ahead of the upcoming World Cup.

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At 33, Ter Stegen has fallen out of favor at Barcelona following the arrival and establishment of Joan Garcia as the starting goalkeeper. This situation has led the goalkeeper to seek consistent playing time, a crucial factor in securing his place on the German national team for the World Cup. Girona appears to be the best-positioned destination to offer him that opportunity.

Negotiations between the two clubs are still focused on finalizing the details of the agreement, particularly the distribution of the player's salary during the loan. However, the goalkeeper has already given his approval to join the club belonging to the City Football Group, a clear sign that his departure is well underway. One of the factors that tipped the scales was his being benched in the Copa del Rey match against Racing Santander, after having started in the previous round against Guadalajara. That performance, coupled with the internal confirmation of his secondary role, finally convinced the German. The geographical proximity also played a role: Girona is just over 100 kilometers from Barcelona, ??which would allow him to stay close to his family. Flick, Garcia, and a scenario with no place for Ter Stegen. Coach Hansi Flick had already made his position clear months ago. The German manager assured that Joan Garcia, signed in the last transfer window for 25 million euros, is guaranteed the starting goalkeeper position. Added to that is the presence of Wojciech Szczesny as another alternative within the squad. In that context, ESPN reported this month that Barcelona had opened the door to Ter Stegen's departure in January.Despite his contract with the club running until 2028, the decision stems from both sporting planning and the player's own need to return to regular competition. Ter Stegen arrived at Barca in 2014 from Borussia Monchengladbach and played 423 official matches, becoming one of the most influential goalkeepers in the club's recent history. During that period, he won 17 titles, but his role diminished in recent seasons, mainly due to injuries. A torn cruciate ligament sidelined him for much of the previous season, while back surgery caused him to miss the first four months of the current season, which he only rejoined in December. This lack of consistent playing time ultimately proved decisive.