Barcelona plans Ter Stegen exit after goalkeeper disappoints Flick

With Espanyol's Joan Garcia expected to join and Wojciech Szczęsny's contract renewal imminent, Barcelona captain Marc-André ter Stegen is reportedly no longer in the club's plans for next season, according to "Sport".

The publication reveals that the club has devised a plan for an amicable separation with the German international.

Barcelona's management will reportedly offer Ter Stegen a mutual termination of his contract, which runs until the summer of 2028, allowing him to become a free agent. To persuade the veteran goalkeeper, Joan Laporta and his team are prepared to compensate him with the full salary he would have earned next season.

However, an agreement might not be easily reached, as the 33-year-old's public statements suggest he intends to fight for his place in the squad next season.

Meanwhile, the Catalan newspaper pinpoints the reason behind the club's decision: Ter Stegen's behavior after recovering from a long-term injury, which reportedly displeased manager Hansi Flick and his teammates.

The German international insisted on playing in the Champions League semi-final second leg against Inter Milan, even having his agent speak to Flick to advocate for his inclusion in the starting lineup. Upon learning that Szczęsny was Flick's preferred choice, Ter Stegen refused to travel to Milan and remained in Barcelona for individual training.

The situation worsened further with the captain's recent public comments about his readiness to return as the first-choice goalkeeper.

Instead, should he stay, he's expected to be third in the pecking order behind Garcia and Szczęsny, receiving minimal playing time, if any, barring injuries to the other two.

Therefore, the newspaper concludes, a separation would be the best outcome for all parties involved – from a sporting, financial, and harmonious perspective.