A Barcelona star has issued a firm ultimatum to the club as tensions over his future continue to escalate.
Despite missing out on the Champions League final after a narrow aggregate defeat to Inter Milan, Hansi Flick’s squad still had a strong season, securing both the La Liga and Copa del Rey titles.
As the club prepares for the upcoming campaign, the goalkeeper situation has become a major talking point. ..Continue Reading
Former Arsenal and Juventus shot-stopper Wojciech Szczesny initially retired but made a surprise return, playing 30 matches after first-choice keeper and captain Marc-André ter Stegen suffered a serious knee injury that required surgery in September.
Szczesny displaced Iñaki Peña to become the starting goalkeeper, while Ter Stegen made his comeback late in the season against Real Valladolid.
With Szczesny’s contract set to expire in the summer, it seemed likely that Ter Stegen would reclaim his role as the undisputed No.1.
However, Barcelona has moved to sign Joan Garcia from Espanyol for €25 million, with plans to make him Flick’s new first-choice goalkeeper.
Although Ter Stegen is still welcome to stay, he is no longer seen as a long-term option, and reports suggest he has made clear demands regarding his departure.
Feeling betrayed by the club’s handling of his situation, Ter Stegen is reportedly frustrated by a lack of transparency and suspects that negative reports about him have been deliberately leaked.
With his contract running until 2028, he insists that Barcelona must pay him the full €42 million he is owed if they want him to terminate his deal.
This amount reflects the salary he would receive until the end of his contract, excluding bonuses and prize money.
Barcelona is struggling to find a way to offload Marc-André ter Stegen, as he has no interest in moving to Saudi Arabia.
Reports suggest the club is prepared to cover a year’s worth of his salary to terminate his contract, but the situation remains highly complex, with his representatives reportedly unwilling to negotiate.
Asked about his future on 1 June while on international duty with Germany, Ter Stegen said: “No one has told me about this, so I don’t know the situation,” Ter Stegen said in response to questions about his future.
“I’m not worried. I know that I will be at Barcelona next year.”
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