FC Barcelona Given Leave Or Stay Ultimatum By ‘Untouchable’ Star

FC Barcelona has been given a leave or stay ultimatum by previously ‘untouchable’ star Marc-Andre ter Stegen according to SPORT, which cited anonymous sources.

Reports started spreading that the German would be forced out of the club before Joan Garcia had even been landed by the Blaugrana.

Ahead of the Catalans paying the Espanyol academy product’s $29.3 million (€25 million), it was reported that Ter Stegen would be put for sale as he would become surplus to requirements.

Probed on his potential departure when facing the press ahead of international duty with Germany, Ter Stegen claimed ignorance.

“No one has told me about this, so I don’t know the situation,” Ter Stegen stated. “I’m not worried. I know that I will be at Barcelona next season.”

“If I remember correctly, and if no news has happened in the last few hours, we only have two goalkeepers for next season, Inaki [Pena]

and me,” the veteran then added, in turn forgetting about Wojciech ‘Tek’ Szczesny, who is expected to renew his one year contract signed when Ter Stegen picked up what was pretty much a season-ending injury.

Amid Deco saying that he doesn’t need to talk to Ter Stegen to explain team planning to the captain, and reports that the shotstopper and head coach Hansi Flick will talk before preseason starts on July 13, SPORT says that Ter Stegen has given the club an ultimatum that will determine whether he moves on or sees out his contract which expires on June 30, 2028.

In short, if that contract is going to be rescinded, Ter Stegen wants the full money, three years’ worth paid to him in full or he will otherwise stick around and become a headache for Sporting Director Deco and President Joan Laporta.

With his anger described as “huge”, Ter Stegen reportedly feels “betrayed” by his club of 11 years, with whom he won the Champions League in his first season, and therefore won’t make it easy to get shut of him.

FC Barcelona is trying to move on from the Ter Stegen era

With Garcia already announced, FC Barcelona is trying to move on from the Ter Stegen era and offload him amid interest from Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Once ‘untouchable’, the 33-year-old is no longer wanted as Garcia is gradually expected to become first choice goalkeeper and a full Spain international.