Barcelona and Ajax Reach Agreement: Ter Stegen Heads to Amsterdam

Goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen will play on loan at Ajax next season, according to "Marca." The Dutch club, the goalkeeper, and Barcelona have already reached a preliminary agreement to finalize the deal. The main sticking point was the distribution of the German's high salary, but this crucial issue has now been resolved. Although some details still need to be ironed out, everything is expected to be completed soon.

The goalkeeper's salary was the biggest hurdle in negotiations. Ajax could not afford to cover the nearly 20 million euros the German earns. Barcelona was aware of the situation, as Ter Stegen commands one of the highest salaries, which no club is willing to fully take on, especially after the numerous injuries he has sustained over the past two seasons. The Dutch team will pay just over 10% of the goalkeeper's salary. A similar situation occurred last season when he was loaned to Girona. The Catalan club then covered a percentage very similar to what Ajax will now pay. Míchel's presence on the Dutch giant's coaching bench proved decisive. The coach had requested his signing for Girona last season and now insisted on his transfer to his new team.

Ter Stegen was fully aware he wouldn't be a leading figure at Barcelona. Joan Garcia has established himself as the undisputed number one goalkeeper after a strong season, becoming one of the key players in Hansi Flick's squad. Míchel guaranteed him a starting spot at Ajax, just as he did at Girona. The German still has two years left on his Barcelona contract. On Thursday, Ter Stegen traveled to Barcelona, knowing that an agreement was very close. The German is expected to depart immediately for Amsterdam to join Ajax training as soon as the deal is finalized.