A Barcelona star is reported ‘refusing’ to be pushed out of the club after ‘locker room’ information was ‘leaked’.
After a domestic treble-winning 2024/25 campaign, you would assume that things are positive at Barcelona, but all is not well in Catalonia.
As reported by Spanish outlet SPORT, the club want to move on goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, when he returns from international duty in the coming days.
The outlet reports that “Deco will explain Barça's decision to the German and his entourage, and an attempt will be made to negotiate the best exit for all parties, but finding a solution will be difficult”.
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However, the ‘keeper is thought to be disappointed and is ‘ready to go to war’ with the club.
Ter Stegen, 33, is Barca club captain and was the first choice before he sustained a ruptured patella tendon in his knee against Villarreal at the start of the 2024/25 campaign.
Inaki Pena and Wojciech Szczesny filled in during his time out before the 33-year-old returned to fitness late into the season.
His proposed exit may also be linked with the potential arrival of Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia, whose €25m release clause is expected to be triggered by Barca in the coming days.
SPORT reports that Ter Stegen is shocked by the situation and 'deeply hurt', believing the development is a 'direct attack' on his 'professional character'.
The report claims that the 33-year-old has accused senior figures at the club of ‘leaking information’ about him to the press in an attempt to ‘damage’ his reputation and to see him leave.
On June 1, Ter Stegan gave his thoughts on his future during a press conference while away with Germany on international duty.
“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.”
Seemingly ignoring the prospect of Szczesny renewing his contract, the German added: “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.
“So, basically, we have competition for this position, and it’s between Inaki and me. Whoever comes in, always has to, no matter what, deal with this competition: any player, in any position, has to deal with that. The same thing happened in recent years, as we had great goalkeepers, who also came with big ambitions. And that’s how it should be.”
Topics: Football, Barcelona, Marc Andre Ter Stegen, Transfer News, La Liga
Luke Davies