Barcelona seek suitor for Marc-Andre ter Stegen as Ajax balks

Barcelona are still searching for a buyer for goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen after his loan at Girona ended without a permanent deal. Ajax have shown interest but cannot meet the €15 million‑plus salary the German demands.

Ter Stegen is not in Hansi Flick’s plans for the upcoming season, mirroring his exclusion last year. Michel’s appointment as Ajax head coach revived the possibility of a move, as the Dutch side view the goalkeeper position as a priority. However, Ajax can only match the roughly €1 million Girona paid during the loan, far below the required wage.

Barcelona would be prepared to subsidise most of ter Stegen’s wages on another loan, but the club prefers a permanent transfer to avoid recurring negotiations each summer. Persistent injury problems over the past two years make any club hesitant to commit a large fee or full salary. With his contract running until 2028, the situation is unlikely to resolve quickly.

Photo by Alex Caparros.