Tottenham Hotspur target Marc-Andre ter Stegen might be on his way out of Barcelona in January
Tottenham need to bring in reinforcements in January if they are to compete on all fronts this season. The Lilywhites might have just lost two games in all competitions this season, but they have been far from perfect under Thomas Frank’s guidance. There are a lot of issues that still need to be rectified in the winter if the North London club wants to close the gap with their rivals in the second half of the campaign.
Fans are calling out for a new goalkeeper in the winter following Guglielmo Vicario’s shaky start to the season. The Italy international has struggled to convince the Spurs faithful that he is the right man to help the Lilywhites cross the final hurdle and compete for major trophies consistently. But it is important to note that the 29-year-old has not been as bad as the fans make him out to be.
Tottenham Hotspur target Marc-Andre ter Stegen might be on his way out of Barcelona in January.
Tottenham want to land Barcelona keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen in January.
If anyone was doubting Vicario’s credential as the first-choice keeper under Frank, perhaps they won’t be now. The 29-year-old delivered a masterclass between the sticks during Tottenham’s game against AS Monaco in the Champions League. He made eight sensational saves and was credited with the Man of the Match award for his heroics.
Tottenham still targeting Barcelona stalwart Marc-Andre ter Stegen
Despite Guglielmo Vicario’s heroics against AS Monaco, there remains a sense of uncertainty surrounding his future at N17. The Italian goalkeeper might be an astute shot-stopper, but his inconsistency and questionable decision-making in key moments have raised doubts about whether he is the long-term answer for Tottenham between the sticks.
That is exactly why Spurs have recently been monitoring Barcelona legend Marc-Andre ter Stegen. The Lilywhites believe he is the right man to replace Vicario at N17, providing the much-needed experience and composure between the sticks. The German keeper is also looking to feature regularly in the second half of the season if he wants to keep his dream of playing in the World Cup alive.
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Now, the Lilywhites have received a massive boost in their efforts to land the 33-year-old. As per Florian Plettenburg (via X), Barcelona are no longer ruling out a possible January exit for Ter Stegen. The Blaugrana are ready to let him leave in the winter on a loan deal, with a permanent transfer also being a solid possibility.
That puts the ball firmly in Tottenham’s court now. If Thomas Frank decides a change in goal is necessary, signing Ter Stegen could appear an appealing short-term option. However, the move would not be without risk. The German veteran is entering the latter stages of his career, and it is unclear whether he would truly represent an upgrade on Vicario.
Spurs should stick with Vicario for now and give him a chance to prove himself on a consistent basis under Thomas Frank this season. The Italian may have his issues between the sticks, but he still has time to improve and be the best version of himself in the coming months.