Goalkeeper is under contract until 2028 but Barcelona are eager to reduce their wage bill
Ajax have reached a verbal agreement with Barcelona to sign Marc-Andre ter Stegen on a season-long loan for the 2026-27 campaign. The move is expected to be completed once the remaining details are finalised.
The 34-year-old is understood to be keen on the switch, according to sources with knowledge of the negotiations. Ajax’s pursuit of the Germany international has gathered pace after it became clear he is no longer part of Hansi Flick’s plans at Barcelona.
Ter Stegen remains under contract until 2028 but has been expected to leave as Barcelona continue efforts to reduce their wage bill. The goalkeeper is one of the club’s highest earners after previous salary deferrals, and Barcelona have been open to finding a permanent or temporary solution to ease their financial position.
Ter Stegen joined Barcelona from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2014 and has made 423 appearances for the club, succeeding Gerard Pique as captain in 2022. During his 12 years at the Camp Nou, he won seven La Liga titles, the Champions League and six Copa del Rey trophies.
However, injuries eventually led to him losing his place as No 1, and he ultimately dropped to third choice in Hansi Flick’s reckoning. Ter Stegen spent the second half of last season on loan at Girona but made only two appearances before another hamstring injury ended his campaign.
He was also left out of Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany squad for this summer’s World Cup after playing too few games to feature.
Barcelona’s goalkeeping signing last summer, Joan Garcia, has established himself as the club’s first choice, while Wojciech Szczesny signed a two-year contract extension after returning from retirement to provide cover following Ter Stegen’s long-term knee injury in 2024.
