Marc-André ter Stegen's future continues to be a headache for FC Barcelona. The club prioritizes his immediate departure to free up salary margin and resolve the registration of Joan García, who will be the owner of the azulgrana goal from the beginning of 25/26.
Although Hansi Flick has already made it clear to the captain that he is not counting on him, the '1' insists on straining the rope with the board, ruling out listening to offers for a possible transfer or loan. The German has three years left on his contract and the bulk of his salary (around 14 million gross per year) to collect and feels defrauded by the club.
Ter Stegen renewed in 2023 for five seasons accepting to defer most of his emoluments for the last three years of his contract to help the club register its reinforcements for 23/24.
After being injured in September last year, he was out for seven months and, although he hoped to regain the starting position in 25/26, he is now sidelined from the team, as Wojciech Szczesny's renewal leaves him as the third option.
Ter Stegen, ruled out for the Asian tour and forced to make a decision
Therefore, Marc-André returned to training with Barça very upset and with the expectation of staying, even knowing that he has been relegated in Flick's plans. However, back problems prevented him from training normally in the first week of preseason.
What seemed like a simple muscular ailment has resulted in a considerable injury and, now, everything points to the fact that the Mönchengladbach native will have to go under the knife to avoid major problems. A scenario he already experienced at the end of 2023, when he had to travel to Bordeaux to treat a herniated disc.
Ter Stegen was out for three months and, this year, his time off could be even longer (four months). Being injured, it is much less feasible for the '1' to find a team, although Galatasaray was very interested in signing him.
For Barça, the German's injury may solve the mess with his card for now, since it would save 80% of his salary, enough to register Joan García. Regardless of whether the captain decides to have surgery or not, it is clear that he will not travel with the squad to the Asian tour next Thursday the 24th.
Ter Stegen's dilemma: his presence at the World Cup is in danger
On the contrary, the 33-year-old goalkeeper will have to stay in Catalonia and evaluate his alternatives for the future. Not going under the knife now may even lead him to be left out of the next World Cup, in case he suffers a long-term muscle mishap.
Similarly, not playing with Barça throughout the season may condemn him with his national team. Julian Nagelsmann gave him the starting position after Manuel Neuer's international retirement, but logically, if Marc-André spends a year on the bench or in the stands, he will not be able to guarantee him the position for the World Cup.
As things stand, Ter Stegen faces a key crossroads for his future. If he decides to go under the knife, he will give Barça room to resolve his departure in January. Similarly, overcoming his physical problems would allow him to try to recover his level in the first months of 2026. Far from Catalonia, of course.
The azulgrana team already dealt with a similar situation in 24/25 with the injury of Andreas Christensen. His absence in the first half of the year served to register Dani Olmo. The Dane, however, was only able to play again in April after suffering other physical setbacks.
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