Marc-Andre ter Stegen latest: Manchester City 'close' to beating Liverpool to sign Barcelona goalkeeper

Liverpool have made an offer for the 23-year-old but Ter Stegen is believed to have selected Pep Guardiola over Jurgen Klopp

Marc-Andre ter Stegen is believed to be close to joining Manchester City (Getty Images)

Manchester City have emerged as the leading contender to sign unhappy Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen in the summer, having overtaken Liverpool in the race to sign the highly-rated young German.

Ter Stegen has spoken publicly of his frustration at being afforded cup football-only at Barcelona, with head coach Luis Enrique preferring to play Claudio Bravo in La Liga games this season. It’s believed that Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp had identified his compatriot as a possible solution to his goalkeeper problems, with doubts surrounding Simon Mignolet’s future as first choice.

However, The Telegraph reports that City have joined Liverpool in making an offer for the 23-year-old, and are close to completing a permanent transfer that will go through at the end of the season.

It’s added that Ter Stegen has chosen City in order to link up with incoming manager Pep Guardiola, and casts doubt over Joe Hart’s future as City’s No 1 given Ter Stegen would not be willing to move to a new club in order to remain a back-up goalkeeper.

City will have to pay in the region of £20m for the former Borussia Monchengladbach goalkeeper, who moved to the Nou Camp in at the start of the 2014/15 season, although his lack of appearances during his time in Spain will give him an immediate disadvantage in his battle with the England international.

Having played just four La Liga games in two years, Ter Stegen has been seen as Enrique’s cup goalkeeper, with the German making 41 appearances in total – 14 in domestic cups and 21 in the Champions League, along with two in the Uefa Super Cup and Spanish Super Cup at the start of the season.

He has been outspoken in his desire to either force his way into the first team or trigger a move away from the reigning Spanish champions, but he also stressed the importance of doing his best for the team in order to help the Catalans replicate last season’s incredible treble.

“I don't know what the coach thinks, you have to ask him. I can just say that I want to give my very best,” said Ter Stegen. “That's what I always do – I want to give my best for the team and obviously also for me.

“I hope we reach the next round in the Champions League and win our next game in the league – these are my goals with the team. Obviously I also have personal goals.

“The coach decides the way he decides, I guess he has his reasons to do so. But we will see how this goes on in the future.”

Ter Stegen is said to be considering his future at Barcelona (Getty Images)

Ter Stegen’s lack of competitive appearances could ultimately cost him a place in Joachim Low’s Germany squad for Euro 2016. The Barcelona stopper is currently part of the national team squad along with first choice goalkeeper Manuel Neuer – who missed the friendly victory over Italy on Tuesday with injury – as well as Kevin Trapp and Bernd Leno.

Ter Stegen was given a chance to impress Low in Neuer’s absence, and while Germany quickly forgot their 3-2 defeat by England last week with a 4-1 victory, Ter Stegen will have been disappointed to concede a goal late in the game.