La Liga champions FC Barcelona is reportedly set to hand Marc-Andre ter Stegen a contract extension as its number one shot stopper Claudio Bravo closes in on a transfer to English Premier League side Manchester City.
Caught Offside indicated that the 24-year-old German goalkeeper is "now regarded as the first-choice goalkeeper at the club" after Bravo reportedly accepted a £17 million transfer move to England with the Citizens.
Reports have emerged that the 33-year-old Chile international had arrived at the Manchester airport ahead of his medical with the Etihad giants, which is an indication that his time at the Camp Nou is coming to an end.
Barça head coach is said to be "upset" about what had transpired and he does not want ter Stegen to also leave the squad before the summer window closes as the German is also rumored to be a target of new City boss Pep Guardiola.
With that, the Catalonia giants are racing against time to offer ter Stegen a new and improved contract that will keep him in Barcelona for the long term. The report said that a new deal will officially be ready, signed, and announced within the week.
Meanwhile, Sport English reported that the duration of ter Stegen's new contract will be for "a further two years with official confirmation expected in the coming days", which means he will remain at the Nou Camp until the 2020-2021 season.
Ajax goal tender Jasper Cillessen is said to be on his way to Barcelona to serve as backup to the Monchengladbach, Germany native between the sticks moving forward.
With Bravo out of the picture, ter Stegen now has the chance to showcase his skills not only in the cup competitions but also in the domestic matches.
The 6-foot-2 goalkeeper was acquired by Barcelona in the summer of 2014 from Borussia Monchengladbach for a transfer fee of £9.7 million. In two seasons with the Blaugrana, ter Stegen had appeared in only 47 games in all competitions as he shared goal tending duties with Bravo.
Last season, he only played seven games in La Liga while suiting up in 19 matches in the other competitions.
