Barcelona Eye Ter Stegen Exit as Ajax Revival Boosts Transfer Value
Marc-André ter Stegen’s season-long reset at Ajax is giving Barcelona growing confidence that they can secure a permanent transfer for the goalkeeper next summer. The German has re-established himself as a regular starter in the Netherlands after a succession of injury-hit campaigns, while his return to the Germany squad has strengthened the belief that his value can recover significantly.
Barcelona had reservations when the temporary move was arranged, principally because the deal did little to reduce the goalkeeper’s substantial wages. Ajax were unable to take on his Barcelona salary in a permanent agreement, so a straight loan — without a purchase clause — became the practical solution. For the Catalan club, however, getting Ter Stegen back into consistent high-level football was considered more important than immediate savings.
The 33-year-old remains under contract at Camp Nou until 2028, but he accepted that he no longer had a place in Hansi Flick’s first-team plans. Rather than remain on the margins in Catalonia, Ter Stegen chose Ajax in an attempt to restore both his fitness and standing after several difficult years.
That decision has worked well so far. He has become Ajax’s clear first-choice goalkeeper and has earned a recall to the Germany national-team set-up. New Germany manager Jurgen Klopp has also placed considerable trust in Ter Stegen, backing the experienced goalkeeper to lead the side from the position during the new international cycle.
Míchel has been another important figure in the player’s revival. The coach had previously pushed to bring Ter Stegen to Girona and later took him to Ajax despite concerns over the goalkeeper’s recent injury record. The faith shown by Míchel and Klopp has given Ter Stegen the platform to demonstrate that, when fit, he can still operate at the highest level.
Barcelona preparing for a permanent change
Barcelona’s goalkeeping plans are already moving beyond Ter Stegen. Joan Garcia is regarded as the club’s established number one, while Dominik Livakovic has been signed to become his long-term deputy. Once Wojciech Szczesny’s contract ends, Garcia and Livakovic are expected to form Barcelona’s goalkeeping pair for next season.
Ter Stegen is due back in Catalonia when his Ajax loan ends on June 30, but only to complete a departure that Barcelona view as inevitable. The club hope his performances in Amsterdam and renewed international involvement will draw serious offers, with several Premier League sides monitoring his situation.
Barcelona’s objective is to remove the remaining cost of Ter Stegen’s contract and receive a meaningful fee for a goalkeeper whose long spell at the club is considered over. A successful campaign with Ajax could therefore give all parties the outcome they wanted: regular football and a revived reputation for Ter Stegen, and a stronger market for Barcelona when the transfer window opens.
