Rumours: Barcelona to target Kasper Schmeichel if Marc-Andre Ter Stegen leaves
Barcelona are reportedly set to target Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel in the summer, if Marc-Andre ter Stegen, whose future is in doubt, decides to leave the club. Schmeichel, who has had a great season with The Foxes, could be an able replacement for the German.
Ter Stegen has been solid between the sticks this season for the Blaugrana but has clearly indicated that he doesn’t like playing only in the Champions League and Cup matches, with Claudio Bravo playing in the La Liga. The young German is exceptionally talented, and has impressed everyone at the Catalan club since joining them in the summer of 2014.
Of late, Ter Stegen has been linked with Manchester City and Liverpool, with incoming City manager Pep Guardiola reportedly keen on him joining the club. Liverpool have been linked with the 23-year-old ever since Jurgen Klopp took over the managerial reins at the club, with the German connection said to be an important factor.
Though he hasn’t confirmed or denied any of the reports, Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s first priority would be to stay at Barcelona and claim the goalkeeper’s position for himself. However, with his place in the German national team dependent on his performances for Barcelona, he would definitely look to do well for them, while playing more matches, or leave the club, in search of a new team.
Schmeichel a key part of Leicester’s team
Kasper Schmeichel has been an integral member of the Leicester squad that has blown away their opposition in the Premier League this season, and has been a pillar of strength in goal in the league for Claudio Ranieri’s team. He has featured in all 35 matches for them this season, and has been a great shot-stopper, making crucial stops, and commanding the penalty box well.
The Danish number one, who joined Leicester in 2011, has played for multiple teams in his career so far, among them Manchester City, with whom he started his career, before spells out on loan at Darlington Rovers, Falkirk, Bury, Cardiff City and Coventry City, before playing for Notts County and Leeds United, before joining Leicester.
The goalkeeper has been playing in goal for Denmark as well, and is going through the best phase of his career, both personally and as a team as well. It is believed that Barcelona are interested in offering him a three-year deal, with two years of the deal confirmed and an option for an extra 12 months.
The Catalans have not had the best of seasons, enduring a recent slump that saw them crash out of the Champions League, and give up their lead in the La Liga title race, and a change in goalkeeper, with Ter Stegen potentially leaving, an important consideration for the club.