West Ham fail with audacious January transfer offer to sign Barcelona star

West Ham have had an ambitious move to sign Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen on loan rejected, talkSPORT understands.

The Hammers are carrying out an extensive search to sign a new No.1 this month and sounded out Barca for the German.

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But Ter Stegen is not interested in the switch to the Premier League and he is instead going to remain in La Liga.

He is set to join fellow Spanish side Girona on loan this month.

The 33-year-old goalkeeper has not played a single league game this season, having lost his starting place to Joan Garcia.

Garcia, who signed for Barcelona in the summer from Espanyol, has started every game in the La Liga and the Champions League.

Ter Stegen’s only appearance came in the Copa del Rey in December, when he kept a clean sheet against third-tier side CD Guadalajara.

He has played over 400 games for Barca across the last 12 years, but it appears his long career at the club is up.

Also captain, his departure will mark the end of an impressive spell, during which he won a huge amount of silverware.

Ter Stegen won six La Liga titles with the club, while also lifting the Champions League and six Spanish Cups.

West Ham were keen to add that incredible experience and talent to their squad, but the move has not materialised.

And the rejection leaves them still searching for another ‘keeper.

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West Ham’s goalkeeper conundrum

The Hammers signed Mads Hermansen from Leicester City last summer, but the move has not worked out well.

After starting the first four Premier League games of the season, Hermansen has not made an appearance since.

His only game since September came in the FA Cup against QPR on January 11, with Nuno Espirito Santo sticking with Alphonse Areola.

Areola has played every league game under Espirito Santo, however, West Ham appear keen to replace him in the transfer window.

It seems that Hermansen won’t be considered to step back up, leaving his future in London looking bleak too.

So, after missing out on Ter Stegen, the Hammers are going to have to move on to other targets if they want another No.1.

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‘We will respect his decision’

After rejecting a move to West Ham, a switch to Girona appears to be happening for Ter Stegen this winter instead.

But manager Flick has remained coy on his future, saying on Saturday: “I don’t have any more information.

“As far as I’m concerned, he’s in the team tomorrow.”

He added, hinting that it is Ter Stegen’s wish to leave: “It’s his decision and what he wants for the future.

“Of course, we’ve talked in recent days and weeks, but this is Deco’s job and we have to prepare for tomorrow’s game.

“Meanwhile, Marc is a Barca player, captain, and has been very important for the last 10 years, but we will respect his decision and whatever he wants.”