Barcelona's Margins: Is ter Stegen on the Line? - Teetering on the brink of the Barcelona squad.
Marc-André ter Stegen, the long-serving German goalkeeper at FC Barcelona, finds himself on the fringes of the squad for the upcoming 2025-26 season, sparking speculation about his future at the club.
Despite being the club captain and having a contract running until June 2028, Ter Stegen is reportedly set to be Barcelona’s third-choice goalkeeper following the arrival of Joan Garcia and the contract renewal of Wojciech Szczęsny. This demotion in the pecking order is a key reason why he is on the outskirts of the squad.
Ter Stegen has been training separately from the main squad, fuelling rumours about alleged back problems. However, the club has maintained that his solo training is part of a strategy to reduce his media exposure during pre-season, and no serious injury issues have been publicly reported.
The club has made it clear it does not want to forcibly push out Ter Stegen but equally will not guarantee him a place as the first-choice keeper. Meanwhile, Ter Stegen is said to be upset about this situation, refusing offers such as one from AS Monaco and seeking a move only if he can receive the final three years of his salary in full.
His agent is exploring options in the transfer market, as Ter Stegen needs regular first-team football with the 2026 World Cup approaching to maintain his place as Germany’s number one. However, top European clubs already have established goalkeepers, and viable transfer destinations are limited.
Another club rumoured to be interested in Ter Stegen is Galatasaray Istanbul, where his national teammate Leroy Sané currently plays. Ter Stegen has not made any public statements about interest from these clubs.
The contract of Wojciech Szczesny with FC Barcelona has been extended, and the young goalkeeper Joan Garcia, brought in from city rivals Espanyol, has a contract until mid-2031.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future at FC Barcelona, Ter Stegen has publicly insisted on fulfilling his contract with the club. However, the newspaper "As" suggests that the club's claim of Ter Stegen's back problems might be an excuse, as there seems to be a dispute that is difficult to resolve in the short term.
In the meantime, Ter Stegen continues to train separately, completing the second unit in preparation in the fitness room and on the field with individual exercises. His contract with the club is still valid for three more years, and the saga surrounding his future at FC Barcelona continues to unfold.
Ter Stegen may consider vocational training opportunities outside of football, as his chances of being a first-choice goalkeeper at FC Barcelona seem slim given the extension of Wojciech Szczesny's contract and the arrival of Joan Garcia. Enrolling in community policy or other vocational programs could provide him an alternate career path, especially as the 2026 World Cup approaches and he needs regular playing time.
With Europe's top leagues boasting established goalkeepers and AS Monaco's offer rejected, Ter Stegen might find a suitable transfer destination in the lesser-known European-leagues, such as Laliga, where he could get consistent first-team football. Alternatively, he could potentially move to Turkey, as Galatasaray Istanbul is rumored to be interested in his services, with national teammate Leroy Sané currently playing there.
