Ajax have made significant progress and are now nearing the signing of a well-known Barcelona veteran this summer.
As pre-season preparations loom, the sporting department, led by Deco, is under significant pressure to reduce the overall wage bill to facilitate new registrations.
While the focus has largely been on younger assets and rotational players, a major development in the market has shifted the attention toward the club’s defensive leadership.
The legendary figure at the heart of this unfolding transfer saga is the 34-year-old German international and long-standing club captain, Marc-André ter Stegen.
After a challenging 2025/26 campaign that included a brief, injury-plagued loan spell at Girona, the veteran shot-stopper has returned to the Spotify Camp Nou only to find that he is not part of Hansi Flick’s long-term project.
According to Fichajes, Ajax’s newly appointed manager, Michel—who previously coached the goalkeeper at Girona—is pushing aggressively to reunite with the Champions League winner in Amsterdam.
For Barcelona, the departure of Ter Stegen represents a significant tactical and economic shift. With a contract running until 2028 and a salary exceeding €15 million per season, moving the German veteran is essential for the club to achieve financial 1:1 parity in La Liga.
Flick has reportedly given his blessing to the operation, preferring to build his defense around a new, younger profile between the sticks.
While negotiations are ongoing, the primary hurdle remains the financial structure of the deal.
Ajax is reportedly unable to match Ter Stegen’s current wages in full, potentially requiring Barcelona to subsidize a portion of his salary or agree to a performance-based permanent transfer.
Despite these complexities, the strong relationship between Michel and the player is seen as the driving force behind the move.
As the summer window officially opens, the “Queen of the Goal” at Barcelona looks increasingly likely to trade Catalonia for the Eredivisie.
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