Barcelona star Marc-Andre ter Stegen reveals he came close to leaving club before Claudio Bravo's departure
Former Manchester City target Marc-Andre ter Stegen has revealed he came close to leaving Barcelona in the summer before his rival Claudio Bravo left the club.
Pep Guardiola was reportedly keen on raiding his former club for Ter Stegen before he eventually signed Bravo in a £17million deal.
However Ter Stegen has revealed he could have departed the Nou Camp due to a lack of regular game-time if Bravo had stayed as the club's No 1.
Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has revealed he came close to leaving the club
Claudio Bravo (centre) joined Manchester City from Barcelona in a £17million deal
Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, Ter Stegen said: 'It was tough because everyone wanted to play in every game. In the end, things have changed and we are both well.
'He [Bravo] plays in Manchester and I play here at Barca. There had to be a change because it was not easy to maintain that situation.
'I imagine Guardiola wanted a goalkeeper who can play with his feet, everyone knows him as a person and a footballer and this is his idea of how to play.
'It was clear that if the situation did not change I would have to find a solution, but the club told me that my time had come and that everyone supported me, so I did not hesitate to stay here.'
Ter Stegen, who previously had to make do with playing in cup competitions, has made 19 appearances for Barcelona so far this season.
Barcelona are next in action on Thursday when they face Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey.