Marc-Andre ter Stegen was brought to Barcelona from Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2014. The then young German goalkeeper got little playing time in his first two seasons with Luis Enrique at the helm, and went to the Barca manager in March 2016 and told him “In the long run, these 25 games per season are not enough for me”. This caught Manchester City and sent Pep Guardiola on a trip to Barcelona – “incognito”.
In an interview with German Bild, Ter Stegen talks about this special period, where the goalkeeper was convinced to sign for Manchester City.
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-We met here in Barcelona. It was crazy: I had to pick up someone else at the airport in the morning, but Pep also came out, with his cap on. I saw him and didn’t know what to do. We met that night at a friend’s apartment… The plan sounded very good… I could have wished for a club that committed to me, Tre Stegen begins.
Which went to the Barca management with the desire for a transfer to City. Coach Luis Enrique blocked the exit.
-When he said that we would wait for the preseason – after two years – I almost got angry. Then I talked to the board. They also said, ‘We will not let you go under any circumstances.’ The buyout clause at the time was €80 million. Three weeks later, Claudio Bravo was signed by Man City. It was a bit strange,” Ter Stegen recalls.
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Before he adds with a smile: “In the end, there was no transition, and I’m very happy about that.”
Ter Stegen now has 420 games in the Barcelona shirt with 5 La Liga titles, a Champions League title and a bunch of cup titles. Already a Barca legend.
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