FC Barcelona has everything ready for the generational change in their goal. The trust in Marc-André ter Stegen as the first-choice goalkeeper is minimal at 33 years old and after two serious injuries. In the coming days, the payment of Joan García's release clause will be deposited in LaLiga, which will amount to €25 million and he will arrive to be the starter. In this context, with a World Cup just around the corner in which he wants to be the starter, there is maximum expectation regarding the German goalkeeper's future.
Barça no longer counts on Marc-André ter Stegen
Marc-André ter Stegen's name doesn't appear in the planning for next season's goal. Meanwhile, the Catalan goalkeeper from Espanyol will arrive as the starter, and Szczesny is expected to renew his contract for one more season plus an optional one. The Pole is the chosen one for the backup role, which leaves the German in a complicated position, as he already knows he must make a decision.
Looking ahead to 2026, the next World Cup will be held, the first in which he could be the starter for Germany. This is his main goal, as he has not been able to defend the German goal in a major event because of Neuer. Taking this into account and the limited playing time he is expected to have at Barça, there is maximum curiosity to know what decision the captain will make, as the doors are open for him to leave.
One offer for Marc-André ter Stegen to leave Barça now
SPORT has discovered that FC Barcelona has set to work to secure Marc-André ter Stegen's departure. The plan is to offer him the full payment of next year's contract so he'll accept the letter of freedom. If he does so, he would be free and could negotiate with any team in the world to take his next step as a professional.
Barça's sporting management is willing to forgo a transfer fee in order not to drag out this saga, which they hope to end sooner rather than later. Both parties are tied by a contract until 2028, which the Catalan club is trying to break with this proposal to Ter Stegen.
As of today, however, it seems that Marc-André ter Stegen won't make things easy to leave FC Barcelona. First, he wants to speak personally with Flick to understand the reasons for his decision. It seems that, even if Barça doesn't want it, the saga with the captain will be a long one.