At least for now, Barcelona have four goalkeepers: Joan Garcia, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Wojciech Szczesny and Inaki Pena. Sources told ESPN that they predict Pena will leave, while there are still expectations that Szczesny will extend his contract.
A request for an extension is still on the table for the Polish goalkeeper. However, Szczesny may be waiting to see how Ter Stegen's situation develops before re-committing.
That was because there was a dilemma in Ter Stegen's progress. The 33-year-old has endured a media campaign similar to the one that Frenkie de Jong endured when Barca tried to force him to join Manchester United a few summers ago.
Stories have been leaked about him being a negative influence as a captain in the dressing room. Ter Stegen was sad because he was not immediately caught up when he returned from injury.
The Blaugrana are said to not need to explain anything to Ter Stegen about the signing of Garcia, nor do they need to talk to Inigo Martinez if they decide to buy another centre-back.
According to Spanish media, Barca may take advantage of the fact that the 2026 World Cup is approaching and Ter Stegen needs to play if he wants to continue to be the number 1 goalkeeper of the German team. This is a role he has finally had since Manuel Neuer retired internationally last year.
Ter Stegen had a good start in the UEFA Nations League this month, impressing against Portugal and France. However, it will be difficult to keep his position if he does not play regularly.
Until now, Ter Stegen has always affirmed that he will not go anywhere. "I know I will be at Barcelona next season," he stressed earlier this month.
Sources say Ter Stegen remains the same and for that reason, he absolutely does not need to say anything more. There are three main reasons why the German goalkeeper does not want to leave the Catalan team.
The first and most important reason is professional reasons. Ter Stegen believes he can still be Barca's number 1 goalkeeper after injury and there is no better place to go before the 2026 World Cup.
Second is personal purposes. Ter Stegen is happy in Barcelona and close to his two children after breaking up with his long-time partner. He has just moved to a new house and current stability is important for Ter Stegen.
Third, Ter Stegen has a contract until 2028, and compensation for him to leave for free could be beyond Barca's ability. Ter Stegen has extended his contract in 2023, under current President Joan Laporta. In it, he agreed to the salary deferment terms to help ease the club's financial problems.
Therefore, this goalkeeper is still owed about 10 million Euros per year for 3 seasons since the COVID-19 pandemic.
This creates a complex situation with no immediate end. Sources say interest from AS Monaco, Galatasaray and clubs in Saudi Arabia will not be considered by Ter Stegen.
However, with Barca not returning to training for a month, La Liga starting after two more months and the summer transfer window closing on September 1, nothing can be completely ruled out.
In the German national team, coach Julian Nagelsmann also expressed concern about the situation between Ter Stegen and Barca: "I only know what the press has published, but no one is sure what is real. In my role, I hope to get more clear information about what will happen to him."
In general, the silence between Blaugrana and the veteran German goalkeeper could be a sign of an inevitable farewell.
