The German national goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen has been playing for FC Barcelona for ten years now. He is highly valued there and still has a long-term contract, which he recently extended until 2028. Nevertheless, there are currently wild rumors of change surrounding the 31-year-old – there is even speculation about a successor.
Marc-André ter Stegen actually still has a mega contract with FC Barcelona. The German national goalkeeper has been tied to the Catalans for more than four years. But it is precisely this mega-contract that could be Ter Stegen’s downfall, because cash-strapped Barca needs money.
In order to comply with Financial Fair Play, salaries must be reduced or players must be sold at a profit. 200 million euros are needed, it was recently said in “Sport Bild”. According to a report from the “Relevo” portal, which transfer expert Fabrizio Romano shared on X (formerly Twitter), ter Stegen could contribute a significant proportion to this sum.
Because the former Gladbacher is said to be at the top of the wish list for a desert club from Saudi Arabia: Al-Ittihad. He already has Fabinho, Karim Benzama, N’Golo Kanté and other former European stars under contract.
The driver of the whole thing is said to be Al-Ittihad sports director Ramón, who was assistant to former Barca sports director Eric Abidal at the end of the 2010s and therefore still maintains good relations with the Catalans.
FC Barcelona apparently wants to make a top offer for Ter Stegen
Nothing is yet known about the exact amount of a possible offer for Ter Stegen, but the sums that the Saudi clubs pay and are able to pay have been extremely financially attractive for the selling clubs in the recent past.
In keeping with the emerging rumors about a change for the Barca regular goalkeeper, “fichajes.net” reports that the third-placed LaLiga team is considering accepting the expected top offer from Al-Ittihad and is therefore already trying to find a replacement for Ter Stegen in the background.
Accordingly, Diogo Costa from FC Porto is said to have made it onto Barca’s radar. Costa, who has shown strong performances in recent months, has been under observation by FC Barcelona for some time, according to “fichajes.net”. The crux: The Portuguese also still has a long-term contract (until 2027) and – with an estimated market value of 45 million euros – would definitely not be a bargain.