Marc-Andre ter Stegen will join Ajax on a loan deal, with Barcelona covering the bulk of his wages. This agreement is expected to be finalized soon before the UEFA Conference League competition starts.

Barcelona Ready to Cover Part of Ter Stegen's Salary in Agreement

Why this is important

This loan deal shows Barcelona's commitment to supporting Marc-André ter Stegen, who has been their main goalkeeper. With Barcelona covering the bulk of the payroll, Ajax can utilize ter Stegen's experience and skills to strengthen their back line in European competition.

Background

Marc-André ter Stegen, who is currently 34 years old, has become an important part of the Barcelona squad. With this deal, he will get the opportunity to play regularly for Ajax, which could improve his performance and provide valuable experience in European competitions.

Main Points

Barcelona Ready to Cover Part of Ter Stegen's Salary in Agreement.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen will join Ajax on loan, with Barcelona covering the bulk of his wages.
Barcelona to Cover Most of Ter Stegen's Wages in Ajax Loan Agreement.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Barcelona's main goalkeeper, is on his way to Amsterdam to complete a season-long loan deal to Ajax. According to a report from Goal.com, Barcelona and the Dutch club have reached a verbal agreement, where the Blaugrana will cover the majority of the 34-year-old goalkeeper's salary.

The loan deal is designed as an outright deal that runs through June 2027, with no purchase option or obligations in the contract, according to information from AD and The Athletic. Ajax sporting director Jordi Cruyff and Barcelona's Deco handled the negotiations directly, easing a process that had previously been hampered by salary cap issues and financial fair play restrictions.

A second report from Goal.com published on July 24 stated that Ajax would only cover a maximum of 10% of ter Stegen's wages under the proposed deal, while Barcelona would absorb the remainder. Mundo Deportivo also added that ter Stegen views Barcelona's counter offer positively, and all signs suggest that this deal will satisfy all parties.

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Ter Stegen is not expected to join Barcelona's delegation to their pre-season camp at St George's Park in Birmingham on Monday. Ter Stegen's current contract runs until 2028 and includes deferred wages from the previous season when he agreed to defer part of his salary to help the club sign new players in line with La Liga's financial rules. These accumulated obligations, coupled with his current salary, make him one of the highest cost items in a squad already operating close to its cap.

Big changes at Barcelona under coach Hansi Flick have occurred. Joan Garcia is now the first choice, Wojciech Szczesny is still on the list, and ter Stegen has no realistic path to regular playing time at Camp Nou. His captaincy was briefly removed in August 2025 after a dispute over registration documents while he was sidelined due to injury, although his status as captain was restored within 24 hours. The incident made tensions between players and clubs even more difficult to ignore.

Barcelona's wider squad overhaul this summer made moving the high-paid goalkeeper a financial priority, not just football wise. For ter Stegen, the move to Ajax offers more than just playing time. Ajax manager Míchel, who also coached him during his loan spell at Girona in the second half of the 2025-26 season, specifically requested his arrival, according to Goal.com. The relationship is important after a difficult spell: a patellar tendon injury ruled him out for seven months in 2025, followed by a back injury, and then a hamstring problem in just his second appearance for Girona that ended that loan spell and resulted in the loss of his place in Germany's squad for the 2026 World Cup.

Ajax have also been an active partner this summer for Barcelona, with another loan deal already in progress between the two clubs. It is also significant that if the deal is formalized before July 31, ter Stegen could be registered for Ajax's UEFA Conference League third qualifying round campaign, where the Dutch club already holds a 4-1 lead in the first leg against Serbia's Vojvodina Novi Sad. The medical process in Amsterdam and completion of paperwork are the final steps before an official announcement, with both clubs hoping this can happen in the next few days. Ajax's Eredivisie season opens on August 9 against Zwolle, so time is pressing.

What happened next

After this loan agreement is official, ter Stegen is expected to immediately join Ajax and train with the team ahead of the UEFA Conference League. Meanwhile, Barcelona will be looking for a long-term solution for their goalkeeping position, especially with Joan Garcia and Wojciech Szczesny as possible options to consider.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to Marc-André ter Stegen?

Marc-André ter Stegen is on his way to Amsterdam to complete a season-long loan deal to Ajax.

Who confirmed this loan agreement?

The deal was reported by Goal.com and involved Ajax sporting director Jordi Cruyff and Barcelona's Deco handling the negotiations.

Why is this deal happening now?

This agreement is designed to address salary cap issues and financial fair play restrictions that previously hampered the process.

What changes have occurred regarding ter Stegen's salary?

Barcelona will cover most of ter Stegen's salary, while Ajax will only cover a maximum of 10% of his salary.

What is the current contract status of ter Stegen?

ter Stegen's current contract runs until 2028 and includes deferred wages from the previous season.

Barcelona Ready to Cover Part of Ter Stegen's Salary in Deal