By declaring a shorter timeline, Ter Stegen is making it more difficult for Barcelona to register his replacement Joan Garcia
Barcelona were caught off guard this week after captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen announced the expected length of his time away due to injury, without consulting the club.
The 33-year-old goalkeeper posted on social media that he would undergo back surgery and expects to be sidelined for three months.
“After my last operation on my back, I returned to the pitch after 66 days – almost two months,” Ter Stegen wrote in his statement.
“This time, the doctors believe about three months will be necessary as a precaution, to avoid any risks.”
The announcement surprised Barcelona’s hierarchy as the player did not inform them of the planned statement. Hours later, the club issued their own update without mentioning any specific return date.
La Liga regulations require clubs to cap their wage bill in line with revenue. However, clubs can exceed the salary cap and register new players using up to 80% of the wages of an injured player – but only if that player is ruled out for at least four months.
Barcelona are currently operating over the salary limit imposed on them by La Liga rules. Until they reduce their wage bill, they cannot register new signings, including Marcus Rashford and Ter Stegen’s replacement Joan Garcia.
The club had been hoping to use the long-term injury exemption rule to register Garcia. But by declaring a shorter timeline, Ter Stegen is making it more difficult for them to do this.
Ter Stegen has three years left on his current deal but does not want to leave Barcelona. The club are open to offers for him as they seek to reduce their salary spending.
Former member of the Spanish FA medical committee, Dr Pedro Luis Ripoll, told Cadena SER that Barcelona should still be able to use the long-term injury exemption rule to register Garcia, despite Ter Stegen’s stunt.
“I believe my colleagues in La Liga, who I know, will not take the bait in that regard,” said Ripoll. “They will make the decision they have to, following their professional criteria.
“Imagine a footballer says his injury is going to take three weeks to heal and then things get complicated and it takes six weeks. What’s the point of the statement then?”
