According to The Pitch Prospect, West Ham’s ambitious move to sign Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen on loan has been rejected.
The Hammers are conducting an extensive search to sign a new No.1 this month and have sounded out Barca for the German.
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However, Ter Stegen is not interested in moving to the Premier League and will instead stay in La Liga.
He is expected to join Spanish side Girona on loan this month.
West Ham fails in its bid for Ter Stegen
The 33-year-old goalkeeper has not played a single league game this season as he lost his starting place to Joan Garcia.
Garcia, who moved to Barcelona from Espanyol in the summer, started every La Liga and Champions League game.
European football expert Andy Brassell told The Pitch Prospect.com last month: “Ter Stegen has been really adamant about his future prospects.”
“He always believed in himself to get back into the team.
“Although he was demoted heavily with Joan Garcia first and Wojciech Szczęsny second behind Ter Stegen, he felt that he felt Barcelona management was doing him dirty.”
“It was always clear in public that he still loves the fans and the club and everything else.
“I think the other thing that makes it complicated for Ter Stegen is that he is on huge wages and that is one of the reasons why Barcelona would like to get rid of him.”
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World Cup place at stake
Ter Stegen’s only appearance came in the Copa del Rey in December, when he kept a clean sheet against third division side CD Guadalajara.
He has played over 400 games for Barca over the last 12 years, but it appears his long career at the club is over.
Brassell added: “If he wants to overtake Oliver Baumann and get into the German team for the World Cup, he has to play.”
“There is no doubt about it. But because of his salary and because many elite teams have chosen their goalkeeper, it is really difficult to find a place for him.”
“And because he’s never played in the Premier League, you always think there’s a certain amount of adjustment where you have to get used to the physicality, the physicality that a lot of goalkeepers really, really struggle with.”
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Ter Stegen’s departure, also Barca captain, marks the end of an impressive career in which he won a lot of silverware.
He won six La Liga titles with the club and also won the Champions League and six Spanish Cups.
West Ham were desperate to add this incredible experience and talent to their squad, but that move didn’t materialize.
And the rejection leaves them still looking for another “keeper.”
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West Ham’s goalkeeping conundrum
The Hammers signed Mads Hermansen from Leicester City last summer but the move didn’t work out well.
After Hermansen started the first four Premier League games of the season, he has not been used since.
His only game since September came on 11 January in the FA Cup against QPR, with Nuno Espirito Santo sticking with Alphonse Areola.
Areola has played every league game under Espirito Santo; However, West Ham appear interested in replacing him in the transfer window.
It appears that Hermansen’s retirement is not being considered, so his future in London also looks bleak.
So after missing out on Ter Stegen, the Hammers will have to move on to other targets if they want another No.1.
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“We will respect his decision”
After turning down a move to West Ham, Ter Stegen appears to be on course for a move to Girona this winter.
However, coach Flick remained cautious about his future, saying on Saturday: “I have no further information.
“In my opinion he’ll be on the team tomorrow.”
He added, hinting that it was Ter Stegen’s wish to leave: “It’s his decision and what he wants for the future.
“Of course we have spoken in the last few days and weeks, but that is Deco’s job and we have to prepare for tomorrow’s game.”
“Now Marc is a Barca player and captain and has been very important over the last 10 years, but we will respect his decision and whatever he wants.”