Tying down Ter Stegen to a new contract is Barcelona's priority

Barcelona want to tie down Marc-Andre ter Stegen to a new contract and are confident of doing so despite the current economic differences between the two parties and the interest of other teams. 

Barça hope to get the German goalkeeper to commit to a new deal until 2024. His current terms expire in 2022. The club have had as many as four meetings with his people and are convinced they will reach an agreement. The Catalan club know Ter Stegen is a big part of their future. 

Ter Stegen signed his last deal in 2017 after becoming the outright No.1 following Claudio Bravo's move to Manchester City in 2016. 

Talks over another new contract began in December. Barça are relaxed because his release clause is 180 million euros and it's unlikely anyone will pay that. 

The relationship between the two parties is good and Ter Stegen's made it clear his priority is to remain at Camp Nou. The keeper and his people were annoyed by rumours about talks with other clubs because it's not true. And they have let Barça know as much. It is not their style. 

Ter Stegen is very happy in Barcelona and has no plan to move. He is angry, like many players, because things aren't going as well on the pitch as they could be, but he is completely committed to the cause. In fact, he is even learning Catalan. 

The other issue is his demands. He has seen some teammates handed big new deals and feels, as an important part of the team, he wants some recognition. And that would mean being one of the best-paid players at the club. 

Barça understand his demands are fair but have problems with the wage bill and little room to maneuver. As it's a priority, the club will try and satisfy his demands but it's unlikely the new deal will be active until next season. 

Chelsea are one of the clubs keen on Ter Stegen. According to the Sunday Express, Frank Lampard's team want the German to help ease their goalkeeping concerns, with Kepa not to the coach's taste.