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Barcelona faced a major setback in September when their captain and first-choice goalkeeper, Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, suffered a season-ending injury. In response, the club signed Wojciech Szczesny as his replacement, though this is seen as a temporary solution since the Polish goalkeeper came out of retirement to join them.
As a result, Barcelona will likely be seeking a goalkeeper to challenge Ter Stegen in the long term. Recent reports indicate that they have turned their attention to OGC Nice goalkeeper Marcin Bulka, whose contract ends in 2026.
In Ter Stegen’s absence, Inaki Pena has been entrusted with the starting role by head coach Hansi Flick. While the German manager views Pena as a capable replacement, the club is indeed in search of a younger prospect to compete with Ter Stegen next season.
According to SPORT, Barcelona are monitoring Bulka, who currently serves as Nice’s first-choice goalkeeper. The 25-year-old impressed under coach Francesco Farioli last season, recording the most clean sheets in Ligue 1 and helping Nice secure a fifth-place finish.
In addition to his clean sheet record, Bulka posted a strong save percentage of 72.6% last season, which ranked sixth among Ligue 1 goalkeepers. He has continued to perform well this season, boasting an 80% save rate, which is the second-highest in the league.
A former Chelsea academy product, Bulka moved to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in 2019 but made only two appearances over two seasons before moving to Nice in 2021. After spending a few seasons as a backup, he rose to prominence last season and is now Poland’s first-choice goalkeeper, replacing Szczesny.
Julian Nagelsmann discusses Barcelona captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s injury
Ter Stegen had long been considered the successor to Manuel Neuer for Germany. Unfortunately, just after Neuer announced his retirement from international football, the Barcelona goalkeeper suffered a significant injury that will sideline him for an extended period.
Germany’s head coach, Julian Nagelsmann, addressed the media ahead of the upcoming international fixtures, stating that Ter Stegen remains very much part of his future plans. He could be the first-choice goalkeeper for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, provided he returns to full fitness.
"Marc-Andre is doing well under the circumstances, the operation went well, but it’s a bitter situation for him, you wait so long to be number 1 and then you get seriously injured. He seemed sad, but also calm. He is a veteran who knows he can come out stronger. He has all the time. He is our number 1 and will continue to be so. If he returns a year before the World Cup, he will be able to play in a top-level World Cup," he said. (via Barca Blaugranes)
Nagelsmann has several options for Germany’s No. 1 spot and, in Ter Stegen’s absence, has called up Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann, Salzburg’s Janis Blaswich, and Stuttgart’s Alexander Nubel to the squad for the upcoming games.
