Man Utd open talks to sign Barcelona star in January transfer window

Manchester United have held initial discussions to sign Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen in the January transfer window, according to reports in Spain.

The Red Devils made signing a new goalkeeper a priority in the summer on the back of another error-strewn season for Andre Onana, who has since left on loan to join Turkish Super Lig outfit Trabzonspor.

A host of high-profile ‘keepers were linked as possible replacements for Onana before United honed in on a deal for Senne Lammens, who completed a £19million move from Royal Antwerp on transfer deadline day.

Some eyebrows were raised over United’s decision to pursue the 23-year-old Belgian given the likes of Emiliano Martinez and Gianluigi Donnarumma had seemingly been available for the right price.

But Lammens silenced his doubters with an encouraging debut performance as Ruben Amorim’s men returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory at home to Sunderland at the weekend.

However, Catalan newspaper Sport report that United remain interested in strengthening their options between the sticks, with Ter Stegen emerging as a vastly experienced option at Old Trafford.

It’s claimed ‘the market is beginning to move for Ter Stegen’ and United are among a number of top clubs that have contacted Barcelona’s hierarchy regarding a potential deal in January.

In this summer, Ter Stegen was stripped of the captain’s armband at the Camp Nou amid a messy dispute surrounding his recovery period following back surgery.

Barca would reportedly have been able to clear 80 per cent of Ter Stegen’s wages until mid-season if he was classed as a long-term absentee – in turn, boosting funds to register new players.

But Ter Stegen shared a post on social media saying he would be out for three months. La Liga rules require a player to be out of action for a minimum of four months to be deemed a long-term absentee.

While the disagreement was eventually resolved, with Ter reinstated as captain, the German’s future remains ‘up in the air’ and ‘all options are open’, including a loan switch or a permanent transfer.

Ter Stegen recognises that he may encounter difficulties in search of regular playing time at Barca following the summer arrival of Joan Garcia and ‘he could consider a move’ to boost his standing ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Interest is particularly high within the Premier League, with Newcastle, Tottenham and Manchester United all said to have launched enquiries for the six-time La Liga winner.

Monaco remain keen, too, having missed out on a deal for the 33-year-old in the summer.

The report states that Barcelona will ‘respect’ any decision Ter Stegan makes over his future and would be prepared to let the shot-stopper leave on a temporary basis in the second half of the season.

Ter Stegen’s back injury means the Germany international is still yet to feature for Hansi Flick’s side this term.

But the Barca skipper is making good progress with his recovery and there are hopes he could return to first-team action between late November and early December.

Ter Stegen’s current contract with the Catalan giants runs through to June 2028.

Facing the media back in July, Julian Nagelsmann said Ter Stegen would have to reestablish himself a guaranteed starter at club level again in order to nail down his place as Germany’s number one.

‘If Marc returns as the starting goalkeeper for his club, he could definitely be our first-choice goalkeeper – because he deserves it,’ the Germany head coach told reporters.

‘But he must meet the necessary conditions, just like any other player.

‘After the rehabilitation period, he must be active with his club and be the number one there. Then, we’ll see.’

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