AMSTERDAM. Ajax have proposed covering only a fraction of Marc Andre ter Stegen’s salary as negotiations with Barcelona over a season long loan for the German goalkeeper gather pace, with the Eredivisie side seeking a deal that would leave the Catalan club bearing the bulk of the financial burden .
The 34 year old shot stopper has emerged as a primary target for newly appointed Ajax head coach Michel, the former Girona boss who is keen on a reunion with the goalkeeper he worked with in Catalonia . Yet discussions between the clubs have exposed a significant gap in expectations regarding Ter Stegen’s wages .
According to Marca, the Dutch club are only willing to contribute between 10 and 15 per cent of the goalkeeper’s salary, a proposal that would require Barcelona to subsidise the majority of his earnings while he plays in Amsterdam . Should the deal materialise on those terms, the Spanish club would be liable for approximately €15 million for Ter Stegen to represent another side .
The situation mirrors last season’s arrangement when Ter Stegen moved to Girona on loan during the winter transfer window in search of regular first team football. That move was cut short by injury, with the goalkeeper missing the remainder of the campaign after picking up a knock shortly after his arrival .
Barcelona face limited options
Barcelona are understood to fear that Ter Stegen’s salary, age, and substantial valuation will limit the market for his signature this summer, potentially leaving them with little choice but to accept Ajax’s proposal . The German international has fallen down the pecking order at Spotify Camp Nou, with Wojciech Szczesny having established himself as first choice goalkeeper under Hansi Flick .
The Pole, who has been Barcelona’s undisputed No.1 since replacing the injured Ter Stegen in September 2024, has performed with such consistency that there is no debate over who should start between the posts . Szczesny’s emergence, coupled with the club’s ongoing financial constraints, has made Ter Stegen’s departure a priority for the coming months .
Ter Stegen, who has made 434 appearances for Barcelona since arriving from Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2014, has been offered to several clubs, including Newcastle United and Aston Villa, with the Magpies believed to be exploring a potential deal . The Premier League sides would be better placed to meet the goalkeeper’s salary demands, though Barcelona’s asking price remains a significant obstacle for English clubs .
The German goalkeeper is set to be part of the Barcelona squad that travels to the United States for their pre season tour, which includes a friendly against Real Madrid in New York . However, his long term future appears destined to lie away from Spotify Camp Nou, with Ajax’s offer potentially the most viable route out of the club given the financial constraints facing potential suitors .
