According to a report from AS, serious doubts have crept in at the club regarding whether Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen should remain the undisputed No.1 between the posts.
Once considered untouchable, the German’s status has slowly eroded, and now, the idea of signing a new starting goalkeeper is on the table.
The issue is not new, but it is becoming harder to ignore. Ter Stegen, now 33, has undergone three major surgeries on his right knee — in 2020, 2021 and again in 2024.
Though he continues to represent the ideal goalkeeper for Barça’s playing style, the decline in his shot-stopping form over the past few seasons has been stark.
While still capable of the occasional world-class save, too many recent performances, particularly in Europe, have exposed worrying inconsistency.
A big influence in the dressing room
Ter Stegen is not just a senior player, he is the captain of the squad and a vocal leader in the dressing room. Since arriving, he has established himself as a respected figure off the pitch.
But his on-field performances have not lived up to that profile. As a result, the club is now evaluating whether sentiment is overriding strategy.
Barcelona are losing faith in Marc-Andre ter Stegen. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
The recent consideration of Wojciech Szczesny for a contract renewal only fuels the uncertainty further. While he might be seen as a reliable short-term option, he is clearly not a long-term solution.
So the true dilemma remains: Is Ter Stegen still good enough to be Barcelona’s starting goalkeeper as the club aims to re-establish itself among Europe’s elite?
What is Barcelona’s plan?
Deco and Flick must soon decide whether to back Ter Stegen for another season, potentially his last at the top level, or move for a marquee goalkeeper who could lead the team for the next five to ten years.
Complicating the matter is that Ter Stegen has reportedly attracted interest from Saudi Arabia in recent months, but the player’s own intention remains clear: he wants to stay at Barcelona and see out his contract, which runs until 2028.
According to sources, Ter Stegen has no plans to leave, and he has made this clear in private conversations.
But the club’s direction may not align with his. If Barça do go ahead and pursue a new elite goalkeeper, Ter Stegen’s reaction will be telling and could determine how the next chapter of his career unfolds.