Barcelona to make Marc-Andre ter Stegen No1 and offer keeper a contract extension

BARCELONA are ready to put their faith goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen by extending his contract and making him permanent No1.

The 24-year-old has rotated with Claudio Bravo in recent years before the Chilean departed for Manchester City last month.

Barca splashed out £12million to replace Bravo with Ajax keeper Jasper Cillessen, but Ter Stegen started their opening La Liga matches.

And in a further boost, club president Josep Maria Bartomeu has revealed his intention to tie down the German to a new long-term deal.

He told told RAC1: “[Ter Stegen] is a fundamental piece in the future of Barcelona.

“(As well as) (Ivan) Rakitic, (Luis) Suarez and (Lionel) Messi, he is a lynchpin and our commitment to him is strong.”

Ter Stegen has largely been restricted to cup appearances for the past two seasons since his arrival from Borussia Monchengladach.

He didn’t make a single appearance in La Liga as Barcelona pipped Real Madrid to the 2014-15 title and only made seven last season as the Catalans retained their crown.

Rumours were circulating that he was considering his future at the Nou Camp, but it now appears the Spanish giants are determined to hang on to the shotstopper.