Barcelona will cover a staggering €15 million of Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s wages next season to facilitate his departure, as the club continues its desperate fight to balance the books and register new signings.
Barcelona to Pay €15m to Offload Veteran Goalkeeper Ter Stegen
The Catalan giants have made the difficult decision to move on from their long-serving captain.
Despite signing a contract extension until 2028 just two years ago, the emergence of new signing Joan Garcia has rendered the 34-year-old German shot-stopper surplus to requirements.
Barcelona have been actively seeking a buyer for some time, and they now appear to have found a temporary solution.
Ter Stegen is set to join Dutch giants Ajax on a season-long loan for the upcoming campaign. However, the Eredivisie side is unwilling to cover the majority of his substantial salary.
According to MARCA, Barcelona will pay approximately €15 million of the veteran’s wages over the course of the season, which represents about 10-15% of his total annual earnings.
This marks the second time Ter Stegen will work under manager Michel Sanchez, having previously joined Girona on loan in January for the second half of last season.
That temporary spell ended in disappointment, however, as the keeper suffered an injury just weeks into his time at Montilivi. Barcelona now hope a fresh start in the Netherlands will prove more productive.
While the financial hit is significant, the move is a necessary evil for the Spanish champions.
Barcelona are still haunted by the burgeoning wage bill from the start of the decade, and offloading Ter Stegen frees up crucial space in their salary limit.
The club is working hard to get back within La Liga’s strict financial regulations this summer.
Barcelona will need to raise around €30 million to secure a deal for Anthony Gordon and register the winger.
The exit of their captain, even at the cost of €15m in covered wages, will help the club pursue several other sales before the transfer window closes.
