According to Diario Sport, Marc-André ter Stegen's transfer to Ajax is drawing ever closer. The German goalkeeper trained under Hansi Flick on Friday, but he is unlikely to join the first team for training in England on Monday. Barcelona's first team will be largely conscripting youth and academy players due to the absence of players participating in the World Cup, and will be assembling at the FA headquarters.
The German goalkeeper is no longer in Flick's plans, but his contract with Barcelona runs until June 30, 2028. A few weeks ago, he agreed to a loan move to Ajax, but the three-way agreement was stalled due to some tax issues, which he and Barcelona needed to resolve together. In the past few hours, Barcelona presented him with a new offer, which he has accepted after consulting with his lawyers.
It's not expected that Ter Stegen's move to Ajax will be officially announced this weekend, as all formalities are still pending. However, the deal is likely to be officially announced early next week. He is scheduled to travel to Amsterdam on Monday for a medical and follow Michel's instructions, which will also mean he will not travel with Barcelona to England.
Ter Stegen remains the first-choice captain of Barcelona's first team, but he lost his starting position last season when Barcelona opted for goalkeeper Joan Garcia, whom Flick considered the undisputed number one. After a dispute arose between him and the club over the length of his absence due to a back injury, during which he even lost the captain's armband for a few days, the situation calmed down with the intervention of president Laporta. Upon recovering, Ter Stegen made his debut in the first round of the Copa del Rey against Guadalajara, but knowing he wouldn't get another chance, he ultimately accepted a loan move to Girona.
Unfortunately, he suffered another injury after playing only two games at the Montilivi Stadium, tearing a muscle in the back of his left leg and requiring surgery. Although he only played two games, he impressed Michel, who has now asked him to join Ajax. Amsterdam has reached an agreement with Barcelona, with the latter still covering more than 80% of Ter Stegen's salary.
If this deal can be finalized early next week, it will be important for Ajax, as it would allow the German goalkeeper to be fit for the third round of the Europa League qualifiers.
