20 year-old German goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has turned down an approach from Arsenal in the hope of securing a dream transfer to Barcelona.

The young player has been one of the Bundesliga’s standout ‘keepers for Borussia Mönchengladbach, and has attracted interest from Inter Milan as well.

However, Barcelona have him lined up as the successor to Victor Valdes and could make a move this summer, although no business will be done until manager Tito Vilanova returns from his cancer treatment next month.

Experience

As exciting a prospect as ter Stegen is (he will be a world-class goalkeeper in a few years), Arsenal should really be looking for a more experienced option to challenge Szczesny.

Signing another young player would produce fascinating competition, but the German wouldn’t come cheap, and if both lost form at the same time there would be no experienced head to come in.

Arsenal’s other goalkeeping targets seem far more sensible. An approach for Victor Valdes appears to have been decided against, while Rene Adler, Asimir Begovic and Simon Mignolet have all been scouted as potential options.

Right now Begovic seems to be the frontrunner, having been watched as recently as Stoke’s last game of the season. Lazio’s Marchetti has also been watched, but there are question marks over his ability to adapt to the Premier League-his form has been inconsistent for the Italian outfit.

Arsenal likely do hold some interest in ter Stegen, but he’s one of the next big things and will likely as not end up at Barcelona, and for some years to come.

Latest: