Softfootball understands that Girona coach Michel has publicly confirmed the club is interested in signing Barcelona captain Marc-André ter Stegen on loan when the January transfer window opens, a comment that has quickly fuelled talk around La Liga.
Speaking in a recent interview, as reported by Fabrizio Romano via his official X account, Michel did not shy away from the issue.
He said:
Girona manager Michel on Marc André ter Stegen deal: I’d love to have ter Stegen with us! He’s top GK. Every club want Marc in their team
The fact that Michel was willing to say it out loud matters. This doesn’t feel like idle praise. Girona are clearly looking at ways to add experience to their squad mid-season, following the club’s recent fallout with Croatian goalkeeper Livaković, and Michel sounds confident enough to let people know they’re at least trying.
Money is the main issue, and it’s a big one. Ter Stegen is still among Barcelona’s highest-paid players, and Girona don’t have the space to cover that full salary.
Several reports suggest that the club would only move ahead if Barcelona agrees to pay a significant portion of the wages or if the goalkeeper himself accepts a short-term pay cut. Neither option is straightforward, but both are being talked about.
Sources close to the situation say that early discussions have already taken place, even if nothing is close yet. Ter Stegen, for his part, is believed to be open to looking at the offer, mainly for personal reasons rather than financial ones.
The German has lost his starting spot at Barça to Joan García, and with the 2026 World Cup getting closer, sitting on the bench isn’t ideal.
A loan to Girona would let him stay in Barcelona, keep his family settled, and still play at a high level in La Liga. For now, things remain open-ended. But if all sides are flexible, a compromise deal before the window closes doesn’t seem impossible.
