In a shocking development, a major European club has seen internal tensions escalate in recent hours after a top official asked a key player to leave immediately—well before the end of his contract. This wasn’t a spontaneous decision but rather one driven by behind-the-scenes changes hinting at a significant shift in the team’s structure, especially in a critical position.
The player, once seen as indispensable, is now viewed as both a tactical liability and a financial burden. Under growing pressure to resolve his future, Joan Laporta recently met with the player again, urging him to depart the club without delay.
According to El Nacional, the situation of Marc-André ter Stegen at Barcelona has reached a breaking point, especially following the arrival of Juan García. The new goalkeeper accepted Barça’s offer only after receiving clear assurances that he would be the undisputed starter in all competitions.
García reportedly turned down more lucrative deals elsewhere, prioritizing a sporting project that guaranteed him maximum playing time. Barcelona agreed, and now the club is actively seeking an exit strategy for Ter Stegen, whose reliability has come into question due to persistent injuries and age-related concerns.
Though Ter Stegen remains a high-caliber goalkeeper, his history of complicated injuries—some requiring surgery—along with his age have caused the management to doubt his long-term viability at the top level.
Head coach Hansi Flick, in theory, would like to have both García and Ter Stegen at his disposal. However, he understands that such a dynamic is unlikely to work. Ter Stegen is not expected to accept a backup role, especially with the World Cup approaching and his chances of becoming Germany’s No.1 rising after Manuel Neuer’s international retirement.
Financially, Barcelona also cannot justify keeping a high-earning player on the bench. This has led the club to accelerate plans for his departure and encourage him to make a decision soon.
Interest in Ter Stegen has emerged from clubs like AC Milan, Marseille, AS Monaco, Juventus, and several teams in the Saudi Pro League. Laporta and Deco are working to facilitate a smooth and respectful exit.
The club is even open to a mutual termination or accepting a modest offer—provided Ter Stegen’s departure maintains dignity for both sides.
However, the main obstacle remains Ter Stegen’s own position. He is holding firm, hoping to prove himself to Flick in preseason and win back the starting role.
For any exit to happen, the German goalkeeper—whose contract runs until 2028—is demanding significant financial compensation, as he’s unwilling to give up the guaranteed money in his current deal.
