Barcelona captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen is on the verge of leaving the Spanish champions this summer, with Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam emerging as his likely destination.
Barcelona and Ajax finalise terms as Ter Stegen prepares for 1-Year loan
According to Spanish sports newspaper AS, the 34-year-old German goalkeeper is close to finalising a one-year loan move to the Eredivisie side.
All parties have reportedly reached an agreement, with the transfer now “almost closed”.
Ter Stegen’s departure comes after he lost his first-team spot at Barcelona following the arrival of Joan Garcia from local rivals Espanyol for €25 million last summer.
Manager Hansi Flick has made Garcia his undisputed number one, with Wojciech Szczesny serving as back-up.
The German shot-stopper currently sits behind both Garcia and Szczęsny in the pecking order, leaving him with no clear pathway back to regular first-team football.
The Barcelona captain spent the second half of last season on loan at Girona, hoping to gain match fitness ahead of the World Cup. However, a hamstring injury cut short that spell and dashed his tournament hopes.
A key factor in the Ajax move is the presence of manager Michel on the Dutch club’s bench.
The Spanish coach worked briefly with Ter Stegen during the goalkeeper’s loan stint at Girona earlier this year, and that existing relationship has proved crucial in pushing the operation forward.
Ter Stegen remains under contract with Barcelona until 2028, meaning the loan does not represent a permanent farewell.
However, it provides much-needed breathing room for the Catalan club, who have been looking to streamline their goalkeeper department.
Barcelona have already sold Inaki Pena to Panathinaikos for around €3 million and sent Diego Kochen on loan to Danish side Lyngby.
The financial side of the deal remains a sticking point. Ter Stegen is one of Barcelona’s highest earners, and Ajax’s participation in the Conference League next season has limited their financial flexibility.
The Dutch club are unlikely to take on his full salary package, meaning Barcelona may need to agree to a salary-sharing arrangement to facilitate the move.
