The future of veteran goalkeeper and club captain Marc-André ter Stegen at FC Barcelona appears increasingly uncertain, as he has been training alone since the squad’s return for pre-season, fueling speculation of an imminent departure.
Since the team reconvened under coach Hansi Flick on Sunday, the 33-year-old German international has not participated in group sessions, instead working individually in the gym, according to club reports. This separation comes as Barcelona reshapes its goalkeeping department for the upcoming season.
The club recently completed the high-profile €25 million signing of Joan García from city rivals Espanyol, with the 24-year-old widely expected to be installed as the new No. 1 goalkeeper. Furthermore, Wojciech Szczęsny, who came out of retirement to join the club last season after ter Stegen suffered a serious knee injury, recently signed a new two-year contract to serve as the experienced backup.
Sources have told ESPN that the club has invited ter Stegen to find a new team, a move designed to resolve the now-crowded goalkeeping situation. However, the long-serving keeper has so far expressed a desire to stay and fight for his place.
The club is reportedly hopeful that ter Stegen’s stance may change as it becomes clear that his playing time will be severely limited. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, the need for regular first-team football will be crucial for his ambitions to be Germany’s starting goalkeeper.
The situation remains unresolved, and a source told ESPN that it is currently undecided whether ter Stegen will travel with the squad for their pre-season tour of Japan and South Korea next week. Iñaki Peña, who served as ter Stegen’s primary backup before Szczęsny’s arrival, is also reportedly seeking a move away from the club in pursuit of regular playing time.
Ter Stegen, who joined Barcelona in 2014, has been the club’s undisputed first-choice goalkeeper since 2016. His potential exit would mark the end of a significant era for the Catalan giants.
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