Joan Laporta Tells Team Star His Time at the Club Is Over and Urges Him to Leave Immediately
In recent hours, a dramatic development has unfolded inside one of Europe’s biggest football clubs, as a top club official has asked a key player to leave immediately—well before the expiration of his contract. This wasn’t a random decision; it came in response to significant internal shifts, particularly affecting a highly sensitive position in the starting lineup.
The player, once seen as a core part of the team, is now viewed as both a technical liability and a financial burden. The club is under increasing pressure to find a decisive solution regarding his future.
In this context, FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta reportedly met again with German goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, urging him to leave the club as soon as possible.
According to El Nacional, Ter Stegen’s situation has become unsustainable—especially after Barcelona secured the signing of Juan García, who joined under the condition that he would be the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper in all competitions.
García turned down more lucrative offers in favor of this guaranteed starting role, and the club is now committed to making that a reality. As a result, they are working on an exit strategy for Ter Stegen, whose leadership role and once-reliable form have come into question.
Despite still being considered a top-tier goalkeeper, Ter Stegen’s frequent and complex injuries—some requiring surgery—as well as his age, have led the club to doubt his ability to consistently perform at the top level.
Although new head coach Hansi Flick would, in theory, welcome having two elite goalkeepers (García and Ter Stegen), he knows that such a scenario is unrealistic. Ter Stegen is unlikely to accept a backup role, especially in a crucial season that could determine his place as Germany’s number one goalkeeper following Manuel Neuer’s international retirement.
Additionally, Barcelona cannot afford the high salary of a goalkeeper who isn’t playing regularly, which adds further pressure to resolve the situation.
Several clubs—including AC Milan, Marseille, AS Monaco, Juventus, and teams from the Saudi Pro League—have shown interest in signing Ter Stegen. Both Laporta and sporting director Deco are working to facilitate his exit smoothly.
The club is open to accepting any reasonable offer—or even agreeing on a mutual termination—provided that Ter Stegen parts ways respectfully, preserving both his image and the club’s.
However, the biggest challenge remains Ter Stegen’s current position. He still believes he can prove himself during preseason and reclaim his starting spot by outperforming García.
To consider leaving Barcelona—where he is under contract until 2028—Ter Stegen is reportedly demanding significant financial compensation, as he refuses to walk away from the guaranteed money in his deal.
