Fresh Ter Stegen Injury Blow Throws Barcelona's Transfer Plans Into Chaos
The ongoing Marc-André ter Stegen situation at Barcelona has encountered another development, as the German shot-stopper could potentially be sidelined for the complete first portion of the 2025–26 campaign due to a back problem.
Various speculation arose when Ter Stegen was absent from Barcelona's initial pre-season training sessions. Many believed his non-appearance indicated a form of resistance, with Joan García becoming the leading candidate to serve as Hansi Flick's primary goalkeeper for the upcoming season.
Recent reports have revealed that Ter Stegen is confronting a back issue that might require surgical intervention. Barcelona's skipper could choose to take a risk with more conservative medical care, but an operation remains a genuine option and such a procedure might sideline him for four to six months, based on current information.
Should Ter Stegen undergo surgery, it becomes nearly unthinkable for Barcelona to secure him a transfer destination—something the organization has been exploring this summer. This complicates one of Barça's primary objectives to generate revenue from a player sale this summer.
However, Ter Stegen's possible extended unavailability creates an opportunity for the Catalans to employ a tactic they've utilized previously.
Barcelona might choose to take advantage of a provision in La Liga's regulations that permits teams to use 80% of an injured player's wages for substitute signings. This method enabled Barcelona to temporarily register Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor last season, following Andreas Christensen's Achilles problem.
Ter Stegen commands one of the largest wages in Barcelona's present roster, with sources indicating he's scheduled to earn approximately €16 million ($18.5 million) this season—a primary factor behind the club's desire to move the German. With 80% of that wage removed from calculations, the Catalans could smoothly register García and potentially even approach La Liga's 1:1 requirement.
Once Ter Stegen recovers and becomes available for selection, a departure during the Jan. 2026 transfer period might be possible given he'd have six months to regain match fitness ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
Ter Stegen has experienced back issues previously. He underwent lower back surgery in Nov. 2023 and was absent for two months of that season. Currently, it seems the complications have returned.
Barcelona are ready to manage their captain's unavailability, with García and Wojciech Szczęsny providing adequate alternatives between the posts. If Ter Stegen does need surgery and Barcelona can remove the majority of his wages, they could potentially move closer to having the resources to secure another addition in a different area of the squad.