Barcelona captain will only terminate contract if full €42 million salary is paid | OneFootball

According to a revealing report from SPORT, Marc-Andre ter Stegen has refused to sign a release agreement with Barcelona, demanding his full salary until 2028, an amount totalling around €42 million.

Barcelona’s decision to move in a new direction between the sticks has caught the German completely off guard.

The signing of Joan Garcia marks the beginning of what the Blaugrana consider a much-needed revamp in goalkeeping.

However, clearing out Ter Stegen, whose contract runs until June 2028, is proving to be a monumental challenge, both financially and emotionally.

Sources confirm that sporting director Deco is expected to personally communicate to Ter Stegen that while he is free to stay, the club no longer sees him as part of its long-term plans.

An escalating situation

Ter Stegen feels blindsided by the club’s sudden change in stance. No one had informed him after the season ended that he was no longer part of the project.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen is not happy with Barcelona. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Now, the player is holding firm, demanding either the full payout of his remaining contract or a clear path to stay and compete for his spot.

Barça initially explored the idea of offloading Ter Stegen in exchange for a small transfer fee, but that door has slammed shut.

The German has no interest in moving to Saudi Arabia, which eliminates the most likely destination that could have absorbed his salary.

As of now, the club is considering a partial buyout, perhaps one year’s worth of wages, but Ter Stegen’s camp remains unflinching.

They argue that the current situation is entirely of the club’s making, and therefore, the full €42 million must be honoured if a clean break is to happen.

This impasse could turn into a public feud if not resolved quickly. The goalkeeper’s entourage is reportedly furious and unwilling to negotiate unless a significantly improved offer is put on the table.