La Liga president Javier Tebas announced on Monday that FC Barcelona can sign a new player outside the transfer window due to what seems to be a season-ending injury to their captain, Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Ter Stegen was taken off on a stretcher during the match against Villarreal on Sunday, where Barcelona won 5-1, maintaining their perfect record in La Liga and a four-point lead over Real Madrid.
It was quickly noted that Barcelona could sign a replacement for Ter Stegen, but only a free agent since the transfer window has closed. According to SPORT, the club is evaluating its options. Tebas confirmed that President Joan Laporta and Sporting Director Deco can indeed bring in another goalkeeper or even a player for a different position if necessary.
“The regulations allow for the addition of a player with a salary equivalent to that of the long-term injured player. It can be a goalkeeper or not,” Tebas explained on Monday.
He also stated that Barcelona’s financial situation is “greatly exaggerated,” despite the club nearly facing bankruptcy after the pandemic. “It’s better than it was two years ago and will improve further in two years,” he noted.
Tebas emphasized that while the rules are complex, they apply to all clubs equally.
With Ter Stegen injured, Barcelona must decide whether to rely on Inaki Pena or a La Masia talent as a temporary keeper or strengthen another position by signing a more experienced goalkeeper to compete against Real Madrid.
