There's a surprise with Ter Stegen's next team: he's leaving in January to play in the World Cup.

The past few months haven't been easy for Ter Stegen. The German suffered a serious injury at the beginning of last season that sidelined him for several months. He tore the patellar tendon in his knee and couldn't be available until the final stretch of the campaign.

His goal was to regain his starting spot as soon as possible, but the situation had completely changed when he returned to the group dynamic. Hansi Flick, Barça coach, decided to bet on Wojciech Szczesny during the German's absence and kept his trust in him until the end. That decision marked a turning point in Ter Stegen's career at Barça.

The arrival of Joan García ends Ter Stegen's time

The summer brought more competition in goal with the addition of Joan García. The young Catalan goalkeeper was the choice of the Catalan club and Flick handed him the keys to the starting spot from day one. This situation left Ter Stegen in a very difficult position, and he took desperate measures to solve it.

Aware of this, Ter Stegen decided to undergo back surgery during the preseason to be at one hundred percent for the next World Cup. His idea was to buy time, get in shape, and wait for an opportunity. However, Flick has made it clear that Joan García will be the starter, so the German will have to look for a new destination if he wants to be drafted for the World Cup.

Ter Stegen agrees to leave Barça in January and already has a destination

Ter Stegen wants to play in the World Cup and knows that in order to achieve it he needs minutes. The lack of continuity at Barça prevents him from showing his competitive level. That's why he has agreed to open the door to a departure in the next winter transfer window.

The surprising thing is the destination on the horizon: Chelsea. The London team, managed by Enzo Maresca, is looking to strengthen its goalkeeping position due to the inconsistent performance of Robert Sánchez. Although it already has several goalkeepers on the roster, the English club would see Ter Stegen as an immediate guarantee of security and experience.

Barça would be willing to negotiate if the financial proposal proves favorable, aware that keeping the German on the bench benefits no one. Chelsea could offer a loan with an option to buy in January, guaranteeing minutes for the goalkeeper ahead of the World Cup. In that scenario, all parties would benefit.