Barcelona ARE willing to listen to offers for Claudio Bravo
FC Barcelona consider the goalkeeping position well covered with one week until pre-season starts, but if the market imposes certain conditions on them, they know which line they will follow: Marc-Andre ter Stegen is untransferable, but they are willing to listen to offers for Claudio Bravo in the case that Chilean wants to talk to other clubs.
In recent weeks, the rumours surrounding both goalkeepers’ futures have increased. The name of Manchester City and Pep Guardiola has been the most insistent. They need a goalkeeper who can play with his feet, as well as one who’s good between the posts.
Barça have both of those covered with Bravo and Ter Stegen, who have both had to accept that they have to share the role at Camp Nou. However, the Chilean stopper and the German both want to start every game in every competition.
Bravo feels strengthened after the Copa America and is not ready to take on a secondary role at Barça. Remember that he has still not played a Champions League game for the club. Meanwhile, Ter Stegen feels being a substitute in La Liga puts the brakes on his progression as a goalkeeper.
With these circumstances, Barça are ready to let Bravo, 33, leave and bet on Ter Stegen for the present and the future. While they will accept offers of around 20 million euros for the Chile captain, Ter Stegen is tied down with an 85 million euro release clause.
It’s not an easy situation for Barça because Bravo was a Luis Enrique signing who has done well. The coach wants maximum competition for every position and Bravo has provided stability in La Liga, winning the Zamora Trophy once.
However, Barcelona know it’s a delicate situation which could blow up at any moment and that the time to make a decision is nearing. Ter Stegen has shown signs of his quality, but also of impatience. In addition, his erratic moments can be attributed to a lack of continuity - he only plays the Copa del Rey and the Champions League - and he will mature as time progresses.
