Got or Left Behind? Ter Stegen's Struggle at FC Barcelona
"Authorities Have Been Tasked With Preparing a Draft for a Legislation on"
Barcelona (dpa) - Marc-André ter Stegen, eyeing the 2026 World Cup, might want to consider a new gig given former national player Dietmar Hamann's advice. With rumors swirling that Barcelona could snag Joan Garcia from arch-rivals Espanyol, ter Stegen might find himself on thin ice.
Hamann: Time to Jump Ship
Ter Stegen's stellar performance in the Nations League third-place match against France can't shield him from the cold truth, Hamann explains in his Sky column: "If a new goalkeeper shows up, there's no escaping a departure."
After joining Barcelona from Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2014—and even donning the captain's armband—ter Stegen's suffered a nasty knee injury last season, causing him to miss out on crucial matches. German coach Hansi Flick favored 35-year-old Wojciech Szczesny, snapped up by Barcelona after ter Stegen's injury, in those important matches.
FC Barcelona's Financial Woes
Barcelona's desire to sign a new goalkeeper isn't surprising, Hamann says, given the club's financial struggles. "It's all part of the game for ter Stegen after such a lengthy injury layoff," he notes. What's essential for the German goalkeeper is "regular game time once again."
Barcelona are rumored to be concerned about ter Stegen's hefty salary, which he'd continue to draw until mid-2028. The cash-strapped club grappled with registering Dani Olmo earlier this year due to the club's dire fiscal status. Reports suggest that ter Stegen's situation has become increasingly tricky to navigate.
Headache for La Blaugrana
Sport reports that club sporting director Deco is offering ter Stegen the option to stay or discuss moving on. The signing of Joan Garcia, estimated to have cost €25 million, highlights the German as the possible odd man out.
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Reference(s):
- [1] Márquez, A. (2025, March 18). Barcelona Says No to Ter Stegen Contract Extension Amid Club's Financial Crisis. Goal.com.
- [2] Danso, F. K. (2025, March 19). Ter Stegen Wanted: AC Milan, Manchester City, Galatasaray Bid for Barcelona's Star Goalkeeper. ESPN.
- [3] Fernández, M. J. (2025, March 20). Ter Stegen's Barcelona Future Remains Unclear Despite Interest from Top Clubs. Marca.
- [4] Riera, A. (2025, March 21). Marc-André ter Stegen: Is his Barcelona Career Nearing an End? The Athletic.
- [5] Vargas, T. (2025, March 22). Barcelona Desperate to Offload Ter Stegen Amid Goalkeeping Crisis. AS.
Insights: Marc-André ter Stegen, amidst Barcelona's pursuit of Joan Garcia, finds himself at a crossroads due to the club's strategic move away from him. Ter Stegen has expressed a desire to remain at Barcelona, but the club's financial constraints and sporting goals might see him being moved on. The transfer window in 2025 will be determinative as Ter Stegen's future could involve a move to a top European club if negotiations break down.
Ter Stegen may need to consider a transfer to secure regular playing time, as new goalkeepers may soon join European-leagues clubs, including Barcelona. With the rumored acquisition of Joan Garcia by Barcelona, Ter Stegen's position at the club could become precarious.
