Intense talks expected as Barcelona captain returns to Spain to resolve his future | OneFootball

The goalkeeping position at FC Barcelona is set to undergo a fundamental change ahead of the upcoming season. The Catalans are closely linked with the Spanish goalkeeper Joan Garcia, who has already given his approval to such a move, and is quite likely to join the team in the coming days or weeks.

While this new addition would strengthen the Blaugrana team, it would still not be very good news for other goalkeepers in the squad. This is particularly the case with the team’s first captain, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who will lose his starting spot in the team.

Ter Stegen returns to Barcelona

In fact, SPORT reports that the German goalkeeper has already returned to Barcelona and is set to meet with the club as soon as possible.

The captain is very angry with the club and is not willing to be forced to move away. Unhappy with the situation regarding Garcia’s signing, he can go to war with the club. In this battle, his main weapon would be the contract that he has till 2028.

Although he has avoided speaking about his situation publicly, he is still surprised by the way things have taken place at the Blaugrana club. He is particularly concerned with the way some news of the dressing room have been leaked to the media, and believes this is a way to pressurize him to leave through the back door.

For now, the German goalie is looking to meet with the Sporting Director Deco, who has been away from the Catalan club for the last few days. After this meeting, he will make a decision on his future, although his current intention is to continue fighting for a position in the team.

Intense talks expected with the German goalkeeper’s future at stake

Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images

For now, Barcelona understand that the goalkeeper has the upper hand in the negotiations, especially with his contract that goes till 2028. However, they themselves have an ace up their sleeve, i.e., the upcoming World Cup 2026, which ter Stegen would want to play as a starter for the German national team.

But for that to happen, he will have to continue being a starting goalkeeper at a top club. The Blaugranes have already told him that if Joan Garcia arrives, he will be the starter, and ter Stegen would be relegated to the third position, even below Wojciech Szczesny.

If Barcelona want to push him out definitely, they can pay him the wages remaining in his contract. However, the two sides are set to talk in the coming hours, and it remains to be seen how this situation will be resolved.

Meanwhile, the German is not looking to join another side, and he is set to train with the Catalan team in the upcoming pre-season.