According to a new report from SPORT, FC Barcelona are in a tough spot with Marc-André ter Stegen. The club sees that moving on makes sense for the budget and the team. However, they don’t want to force out their long-time captain.
Marc-André ter Stegen’s situation at FC Barcelona
So, the board are staying silent and waiting. This is happening even though the German keeper is clearly no longer the top choice this season. Also, Ter Stegen is set on staying through his contract, which runs until 2028. He knows the law is on his side if he refuses to leave.
The German Football Association probably wants him playing regularly before the next World Cup. Still, that hasn’t changed his mind. On top of that, Barça still respect his leadership and history at the club. They insist that any move to leave has to come from the player himself.
The Catalan club won’t use legal pressure or leak stories to the media to push him out. Right now, a transfer only looks possible if a big European team offers him a guaranteed starting spot. That just hasn’t happened yet. Although some reports claimed that Aston Villa made their initial contact with the German veteran.
While Barcelona could technically try to end his contract, the board thinks that’s unlikely. They know Ter Stegen expects the full salary he already negotiated. So, the team expects this awkward situation to last until next summer. At that point, both sides will have to talk and find a middle ground. They need a deal that respects his contract but finally lets the team move on.
His role in the team
As for his role on the team, Ter Stegen is basically a very expensive backup right now. He helps more with locker room morale than with making saves on the pitch. In our opinion, Barcelona behaved correctly by refusing to bully a club legend.
Keeping your word and acting with class is worth more in the long run than saving a bit of money. It stops the toxic atmosphere that often starts when teams treat veterans poorly. However, paying a huge salary to a backup keeper really hurts the club’s ability to sign new players. It creates a clear conflict between doing what’s right and doing what the bank account needs.
What will the German international do eventually?
Ter Stegen will eventually agree to a move next summer. He will probably head to a good team in Italy or Germany that needs a keeper who is good with the ball at his feet. This will happen once he realises his time at Camp Nou is over.
If the club can make that happen, they should go all-in for Porto’s Diogo Costa. He controls the box and passes well, which fits the high defensive line Hansi Flick likes to use.
Another option is a younger player like Guillaume Restes, who could stay for the next 10 years. In the end, the club must balance respect for a legend with the need to win trophies. A split next summer is the only thing that makes sense for everyone.
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