The future of Marc-André Ter Stegen seems to be far from Barcelona, although that is the wish of one of the parties. The Azulgrana team wants to sell the German goalkeeper to lighten the payroll after the signing of Joan García, while the goalkeeper himself is very happy in Barcelona and has no intention of leaving the club where he has spent the last decade and where he is one of the captains. His intention, even though Hansi Flick does not count on him, is to fight for the position with the former Espanyol player, but it seems unlikely that there will be any changes in his situation.
At Barcelona, they are clear that the two goalkeepers for next season will be Joan García and Szczesny. The former arrived at the Camp Nou this summer after Barça paid Espanyol €25 million for his transfer. In the case of the latter, the Polish player extended his contract with the Catalan club for two more seasons, making them the clear choices for the Blaugranas. These gestures indicate that Iñaki Peña and Marc-André Ter Stegen will have to look for a new club, but the German is making the situation tense.
It remains to be seen how this soap opera will end, as Ter Stegen does not want to leave, but if he does not, it is more than likely that he will not be Germany’s starting goalkeeper at the 2030 World Cup. It is also possible that the German is making the situation tense so as not to lose the salary for the remaining years of his contract and, if he leaves, to continue receiving the money that Barça wants to get rid of to lighten the wage bill.
Ter Stegen, not training on the pitch
Last Monday, Barcelona’s preseason training began, and it was noticeable that Ter Stegen was not on the pitch with the rest of his teammates. This was despite the fact that the German goalkeeper had returned a few days earlier to the Joan Gamper Sports Complex to start working out in the gym. The reason for his unexpected return before the official date may have been because his main competition in goal, Joan García, also returned early from vacation to start this new adventure with great enthusiasm.
The cameras want to capture Ter Stegen as soon as possible, but they will have to keep waiting. On Tuesday and in the first session on Wednesday, Marc-André was still in the gym. It is claimed that this is due to physical problems, but it is suspected that it may be to avoid a photo of a German goalkeeper who is a Barcelona legend and who has been condemned by the club and Hansi Flick, who do not count on him and want to offload him as soon as possible to have more financial room for maneuver in upcoming transfers… and also in registrations.
Matthäus’ words
Lothar Matthäus, German soccer legend, was questioned by the German media outlet Bild about what is happening in Barcelona with his compatriot. “If he wants to play in the World Cup, he will have to leave. He won’t play for Barcelona anymore,“ said the former footballer. ”He has to accept it, Barcelona has other plans,“ he said, making it clear that the former Borussia Mönchengladbach player’s days in Barcelona are numbered.
”These are decisions that have to be accepted and there’s no point in complaining,” he continued, referring to Marc-André Ter Stegen’s situation. “This is not an isolated incident, it’s part of football. It’s not Hansi Flick, it’s Barcelona, and there’s nothing bigger than a club,” he added. “I understand Ter Stegen because he’s played well, he’s been captain, and he has his life in Barcelona, but he has to accept that the club has other plans,” Lothar Matthäus concluded.