Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has claimed that Marc-Andre ter Stegen was always the number one choice to replace long-serving goalkeeper Victor Valdes.

Valdes will officially depart the Camp Nou when his contract expires next month, with the Spaniard widely expected to join Monaco.

Barca have already signed his replacement, however, with German international Ter Stegen arriving from Borussia Monchengladbach on a long-term contract.

"Barcelona has spent years following goalkeepers. Very early on it was set to be Ter Stegen. That was always very clear," he told Onda Cero.

Ter Stegen, 22, has four international caps to his name, but has not travelled with the Germany squad for the World Cup.