​Barcelona captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen finds himself in another unusual situation. Although the German goalkeeper remains outside Hansi Flick’s plans, he continues training with the Barcelona first team while awaiting final authorization for his move to Ajax. Ter Stegen has already agreed to a loan transfer, and both he and his representatives believe every major detail of the deal has been settled. The remaining delay does not stem from the player’s decision but rather from the structure of the agreement between Barcelona and Ajax.
According to SPORT, the final hurdle concerns the financial and tax arrangements surrounding the loan. Ter Stegen has given his consent to join Ajax, and the two clubs are working to finalize a loan deal in which the Dutch side will progressively take on a larger portion of the goalkeeper’s salary over the course of the season. The amount Ajax contributes will increase based on various factors, including the number of matches he features in, his individual performances, and the team’s overall objectives.
Despite the complexity of the arrangement, all parties remain confident that a final agreement will be reached. Barcelona and Ajax are currently exchanging the necessary legal documents to complete the transaction. From the start, Ajax made clear that they could not immediately absorb Ter Stegen’s full salary but were prepared to make a substantial financial effort. Under the agreed framework, Ajax’s contribution will grow as the German establishes himself as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper as the season unfolds.
Ter Stegen is now simply waiting for the final authorization before joining his new teammates. Reports in the Netherlands have suggested some nervousness within Ajax about the delay. However, sources close to the goalkeeper insist there is no real danger of the move collapsing. All parties have already reached an agreement, and the remaining work is strictly legal and administrative, even if the process has taken slightly longer than expected. The expectation is that everything will be completed this week, allowing Ter Stegen to travel to Amsterdam for a comprehensive medical examination before the move is officially completed. Ajax already possesses all of the goalkeeper’s medical records and is fully satisfied that he is fit to play from the start of the new season.
Barcelona view the loan as an opportunity to restore Ter Stegen’s market value. The club hopes the German will play regularly, deliver strong performances, and increase his value ahead of next summer, when a permanent transfer—whether to Ajax or another club—could finally be realized. The long-term objective is to reduce one of Barcelona’s highest salaries on the wage bill, easing financial pressures and helping to reposition the squad for the future. In this context, the looming deadline for finalizing the loan is a crucial test of the clubs’ ability to negotiate a deal that works for all sides, while preserving Ter Stegen’s professional standing and ensuring a smooth transition into the next phase of his career.