Chelsea’s hunt for a new No.1 goalkeeper has taken an unexpected twist, with reports from Goal claiming the club are exploring a loan move for Barcelona veteran Marc-André ter Stegen.

The 31-year-old, who has been a mainstay at Camp Nou for nearly a decade, now finds himself out of favour following the rise of new signing Joan Garcia.

Once regarded as one of the world’s elite shot-stoppers, Ter Stegen’s fall from grace has been as rapid as it is surprising.

Barcelona’s €25 million move for Garcia has effectively displaced the German, creating internal tension and uncertainty over his future.

Chelsea view him as an ideal short-term fix, bringing world-class pedigree and composure to a position that has troubled them since the departure of Edouard Mendy.

Robert Sanchez has failed to convince Enzo Maresca, and with the manager demanding greater stability at the back, the club are now pushing to secure an experienced, vocal leader between the posts.

Relationship breakdown at Camp Nou

Ter Stegen’s standing at Barcelona has deteriorated dramatically in recent months. Following back surgery in the summer, he reportedly frustrated club officials by posting recovery updates on social media without prior approval from the medical staff.

The situation worsened when he refused to sign a release form granting the club access to his medical records — a move that briefly halted Garcia’s registration before La Liga’s opening weekend.

The standoff caused uproar behind the scenes, forcing the board to consider disciplinary measures. Though the matter was eventually settled, the club temporarily stripped him of the captain’s armband, a symbolic gesture that laid bare the growing disconnect.

Insiders believe the relationship has been damaged beyond repair, paving the way for an exit in January.

Sympathy and uncertainty

Former Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny spoke out on Ter Stegen’s plight, telling Mundo Deportivo: “I don’t think it’s a pleasant situation. I went through something similar at Juventus before I retired. Marc still has so much to offer, but sometimes football forces you to accept painful realities.”

Chelsea now appear ready to offer him a lifeline — a chance to revive his career in the Premier League while solving the club’s ongoing goalkeeper dilemma. Whether Barcelona will sanction a loan, however, remains to be seen.