The summer of 2025 could usher in a seismic shift in Barcelona’s goalkeeping hierarchy, and one of Europe’s longest-serving number ones may be on the verge of a controversial exit. Marc-Andre ter Stegen, the German stalwart who has spent over a decade guarding Barca’s net, might be forced out—not by his own will, but by a strategic shake-up from the club’s upper ranks.
Even more surprising? His next stop might be in the same league as Cristiano Ronaldo, where stars like Karim Benzema and Ivan Toney have been reigning—raising the stakes of this developing saga.
Ter Stegen has long been considered an untouchable presence at Barcelona. With a contract running until 2028 and the backing of goalkeeping coach Jose de la Fuente, he was expected to be the undisputed starter going into next season under new manager Hansi Flick.
But things changed rapidly with the emergence of Espanyol’s Joan García, a 23-year-old goalkeeper reportedly on the brink of signing a five-year deal with the Catalan giants. According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona’s top brass, including President Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco, are now fully aligned behind the Spaniard, who is being positioned as the club’s new number one for the 2025-26 season.
“Barca’s commitment to Garcia is firm and strong,” an anonymous source told Mundo Deportivo. “Should he arrive, Ter Stegen will have to look for a way out if he wants to play next season.”
Ter Stegen’s resistance—and dilemma
Despite the board’s openness to offers, Ter Stegen has made it clear that he doesn’t intend to leave. Speaking to Sport, the 33-year-old recently expressed his desire to stay and fight for his spot. His stance presents a difficult situation for Barcelona, which is eager to trim its high wage bill. Ter Stegen is one of the club’s top earners, and his sale would offer significant financial relief.
At the same time, the timing couldn’t be more sensitive. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, Ter Stegen knows he needs to be playing regularly to convince Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann to hand him the number one shirt. And with García expected to take over duties at the Catalans’ outfit, that opportunity may be fading.
Tempting exit in the Gulf
Enter the Saudi Pro League. The first club to act is reportedly Al-Hilal, the Middle Eastern powerhouse that already boasts a roster of international stars. According to Sport, they’ve set their sights on the German goalkeeper after monitoring other elite targets like Ederson and Alisson.
“They are willing to offer him a lucrative contract and pay a transfer fee to the Catalan club,” reported Sport, suggesting Barcelona would see it as a “profitable business.”
The club is believed to have already made overtures to the German, promising guaranteed playing time and a central role in their sporting project. While financial gains are obvious, the professional trade-off is steep. Playing in Saudi Arabia could complicate Ter Stegen’s World Cup ambitions, with some in Germany’s national setup rumored to prefer goalkeepers competing in Europe’s top leagues.
