Nobody expected that Marc-André ter Stegen would return to training with FC Barcelona a few days early. He has done so with a clear plan in mind: to speak directly with Hansi Flick. The German knows that his future at Barça is hanging by a thread and he has requested a face-to-face meeting with his compatriot to speak frankly about this complicated matter.
Ter Stegen showed up yesterday at Ciutat Esportiva, but he didn't manage to speak with Flick, who wasn't present at the facilities. This will change today. Madrid-Barcelona has learned that, in the coming hours, the famous meeting between the two Germans is scheduled, in which the blaugrana coach will be clear and forceful with his goalkeeper.
"You're the third goalkeeper"
In this meeting, Hansi Flick is going to tell Ter Stegen that he doesn't count on him for next season. "You're the third goalkeeper," he will state.
He will explain that he didn't like his attitude at the end of last season, when he recovered from his injury and pushed both publicly and privately to be the starter. Despite his status as captain, Flick doesn't count on him, although he will also explain that he can regain his status if he works hard.
In this regard, Flick's message to Ter Stegen couldn't be clearer: first is the newcomer Joan García, and then Szczesny. Behind those two, he will be next.
Ter Stegen won't forgive FC Barcelona a single euro
At 33 years old, the reality is that the goalkeeper didn't expect a scenario like this for himself. He has a contract until 2028 and found out through the press that he's not in Barça's plans. He expected different treatment, especially given his status as captain.
He's not willing to forgive a single euro, a fact that Madrid-Barcelona has been able to confirm. If he ends up leaving this summer, it will be through the termination of his contract and by collecting the three years he has left. This is the message he plans to deliver if they want to get rid of him.
He doesn't have any offer on the table that convinces him, despite having attracted the interest of several European teams. As of today, he only thinks about staying at Barça, no matter how much they don't want him and tell him so.
This way, the message from Ter Stegen and his closest circle to FC Barcelona is very clear: if they don't want him, they should pay him everything he's owed and he'll leave.