Barcelona makes a decision regarding Ter Stegen's future: Will he leave in January?

FC Barcelona is clear on how to manage Marc-André ter Stegen's return to the squad in the coming weeks. The '1' could be medically cleared before the end of the year, as his progress after undergoing surgery to overcome his lower back pain has been positive.

In principle, the Barça captain should not reappear until January, as his registration was canceled (due to a long-term injury) to resolve the registration of Joan García. In that sense, 'Matts' is clear that, upon his return, he will be the third option for the goal in Hansi Flick's plans, after the one from Sallent and Wojciech Szczesny.

The club was very clear with Ter Stegen from the beginning of the preseason, but the 33-year-old goalkeeper ruled out negotiating with other clubs. His market options in the summer, however, dissipated after his back injury was confirmed.

Barça leaves Ter Stegen's future in the goalkeeper's hands

Looking ahead to the next transfer window, the German goalkeeper's situation is not much different from the scenario he encountered in mid-July, after returning to work with Barça. The 'Culés' prefer to resolve his departure, either through a loan or a transfer, while the '1' insists on staying, confident he can regain his lost prominence.

Out of respect for his career at the club, Barça will not force his departure in the winter market, as Marc-André still has two and a half years left on his contract and a significant amount of the salary agreed upon in his last renewal (2023) to collect.

Therefore, the directive leaves the decision about his future in the hands of the Mönchengladbach native. The goalkeeper knows that, by spending the rest of 25/26 on the Barça bench, he will hardly be able to maintain his starting position with Germany in the 2026 World Cup. Ter Stegen was always under the shadow of Manuel Neuer in the 'mannschaft' and this is his last great opportunity to shine in a major tournament.

Several clubs in England, Germany, and Turkey are attentive to the possibility of signing him, preferably through a loan, while Barça also needs to get rid of, at least, a portion of the captain's salary to resolve its issues with Financial Fair Play.

If 'Matts' ultimately decides to stay in Barcelona, he would only have the opportunity to play in the Copa del Rey, as Joan García will be the starter in Liga and Champions League as long as he remains healthy. Szczesny, meanwhile, will be the backup to the player from Sallent, the star signing of the Catalan team for the 25/26 season.

Szczesny Believes Ter Stegen Will Know How to Choose What's Best for His Future

Ter Stegen and Szczesny in a training session at the Ciutat Esportiva

One of the figures from the Barça squad who recently spoke about the 'Ter Stegen case' was, precisely, Wojcieh Szczesny. The Polish player was candid about the captain's situation, recalling his experience at Juventus.

'Tek' finally secured the starting position at the 'Vecchia Signora' in 2018, taking over from Gianluigi Buffon, and six years later, he was relegated to obscurity again, which led him to retire. Barça, after 'Matts' injury, decided to sign him in October, also offering him a two-season renewal last summer.

"It must be frustrating for him after having been such an important player for so many years, but Marc is a very intelligent guy and I think he understands that," the 35-year-old goalkeeper explained in a chat with 'Mundo Deportivo'.

Furthermore, he explained that Marc-André was always happy about the titles obtained last season, despite his being a substitute in the final stretch of 24/25. "I never saw him frustrated. Maybe he was, I wouldn't blame him if he was, but he never showed it to us. The most important thing for him now is to regain his physical form, because he missed all of last year."

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