Barcelona look set to sign an experienced stopper to replace injured captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen after he was ruled out for most if not all of this season. It has raised question marks over the German's long-term future at the club.
The 32-year-old has had three surgeries in the last four years, missed a significant time at different points, and there are no guarantees on how to return, and he will be 33 years old.
While it looks like Keylor Navas or Wojciech Szczesny will enter shortly, MD say the only name Barcelona like more as a potential long-term replacement for ter Stegen is Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa. The 25-year-old Portugal international is managed by Jorge Mendes, who will no doubt help, but Barcelona see him as possessing the reflexes, aerial ability and security to take over from ter Stegen.
The problem would be its price. Costa has three years left on his deal, and Porto tend to be tough negotiators, which would undoubtedly make the deal more difficult. Certainly Barcelona would not be able to consider such a big expense in January, and the beginning they could make a move is next summer.
