Barcelona may have a difficult task in persuading Marc-Andre ter Stegen to depart the club this summer even with the signing of Espanyol star Joan Garcia expected soon
Marc-Andre ter Stegen of Germany speaks to the media
Marc-Andre ter Stegen refuses to be pushed out of Barcelona(Image: Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is prepared to go to war with his club - in order to remain at the Nou Camp. The Germany international and Barca captain is said to be outraged over attempts to force him out of the club.
Ter Stegen is still under contract until 2028 but is refusing to be pushed out of the Catalan side despite an apparent insistence from club chiefs. The 33-year-old missed much of last season through injury, making just nine appearances, and the Blaugrana are focusing their efforts on signing another shotstopper.
Joan Garcia, who has been linked to Arsenal and Manchester United, is top of their list and nearing a move. Ter Stegen was unable to claim his spot upon his return in 2024/25, from Wojciech Szczesny, as Hansi Flick's first choice.
Now it is claimed Barcelona president Joan Laporta has told members of the board that Ter Stegen must be sold with Garcia's arrival. It has even been touted that the La Liga champions have offered to terminate the ex-Borussia Monchengladbach star's contract if they pay him a year's salary.
Spanish outlet Sport claim that Ter Stegen has been 'deeply hurt' and believes that there has been 'direct attack' on his 'professional character' in order to force him out of the club. The Germany international is reported to accuse figures of purposefully leaking information to damage his reputation.
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Sporting director Deco will be tasked with explaining Barcelona's stance to Ter Stegen and his camp in the search for an amicable resolution. But, fully recovered after last season, the goalkeeper is keen to fight for a starting spot if Flick allows it.
The Spanish giants hold on to hope that Ter Stegen's World Cup aspirations will see him unwilling to risk not playing next term however. The veteran has been left aghast and outraged at being left out in the cold after shortening his recovery from injury as first-choice goalkeeper and captain.
With Garcia's arrival yet to be confirmed and Szczesny yet to commit to a two-year deal from Barcelona, Ter Stegen was quick to point out that he is currently one of just two goalkeepers set to be at Barca next season.
MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 21: Marc-Andre ter Stegen of FC Barcelona reacts during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 21, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Diego Souto/Getty Images)
Ter Stegen has been left outraged over his position
"No one has told me about this, so I don't know the situation," Ter Stegen said when asked about his future.
'I'm not worried," he added. "I know that I will be at Barcelona next year.
"If I remember correctly, and if no news has happened in the last few hours, we only have two goalkeepers for next season, Inaki [Pena] and me."
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