Source:REUTERS/Albert Gea
[Saba Sports News] According to Spanish media reports, Barcelona still plans to offload Marc-André ter Stegen, but the obstacle is the player’s high salary. Ter Stegen started in the Copa del Rey match against Guadalajara, marking his first appearance since May. However, this has not changed his marginal position within the team. Coach Hans-Dieter Flick has made it clear that Joan García is the undisputed number one goalkeeper, and Ter Stegen’s appearance was considered a one-time “opportunity demonstration.”The relationship between Ter Stegen and Barcelona’s management remains tense. The club attempted to sell him during the summer, and at one point stripped him of the captain’s armband when he refused to sign salary documents to help register new signings. Although both sides ultimately reached a compromise, and Ter Stegen hopes to stay to earn a spot in the 2026 World Cup, Barcelona’s board still sees him as a candidate for clearance.The current obstacle is Ter Stegen’s high salary, which includes deferred payment portions and a contract that doesn’t expire until 2028. This makes it difficult for Barcelona, under significant financial pressure, to find a willing buyer in the transfer market.