Newcastle ‘have £47m ready’ to sign Barcelona star in January

Jason Soutar
Reported Newcastle target Marc-Andre ter Stegen putting his gloves on

Newcastle United are preparing to make a €55million (£47m) January bid to sign FC Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, according to reports.

Ter Stegen has been a mainstay in Barca’s starting XI in recent seasons, joining from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2014.

He helped the Catalan club win the treble in his first season, playing every minute of their Champions League campaign whilst playing second fiddle to Claudio Bravo in La Liga.


Newcastle and their journalists backtrack; now it was always Howe


The Germany international then became first choice in 2016/17 after Bravo left for Manchester City.

Ter Stegen is approaching his 300th appearance for Barca, but could surprisingly leave the La Liga giants in January, claim El Nacional.

The report says that club president Joan Laporta still values the shot-stopper highly, but is willing to let the German go to raise funds.

Barcelona are notably in a difficult place financially, so selling an important first-team star may be imperative as they look to balance the books.

And Newcastle have £47m ‘ready’ in the event that Barca are willing to negotiate, which would apparently be ‘difficult to reject’.

However, the report adds that ter Stegen is happy at the Nou Camp and would be difficult to lure away.

Furthermore, the Magpies’ strongest position is arguably in goal, as things stand.

Freddie Woodman, Karl Darlow and Martin Dubravka are the current goalkeepers at St James’ Park – so it is not a position that urgently needs addressing.

Having said that, if a ‘keeper of ter Stegen’s ability becomes available, the Geordies would be one of the first in line to negotiate a deal given their newfound financial power.

Meanwhile, Newcastle are reportedly close to announcing the appointment of Eddie Howe as manager.

After former Arsenal boss Unai Emery decided to reject the opportunity to return to the Premier League after holding initial talks with the Magpies, the development will come as encouraging news to fans who have grown restless over a lack of tangible progress.

Should Howe, who has been out of the game since ending his eight-year stint at Bournemouth in August last year, be confirmed in the post, he is likely to formally take up his duties during the forthcoming international break, when he will have time to work with those players not away with their countries.