Here we go: Barcelona and Ajax reach agreement in principle over Ter Stegen loan deal | OneFootball

According to SPORT and corroborated by Fabrizio Romano, Marc-Andre ter Stegen is on the verge of leaving Barcelona after the Catalan club and Ajax reached a verbal agreement in principle over a season-long loan move.

Both clubs have agreed on the financial framework of the deal. The club is now waiting to receive the official documentation before reviewing the final terms and authorising the goalkeeper to travel to Amsterdam next week.

The loan is expected to run for one season and will include a purchase option, the details of which will be finalised when all contracts are signed.

Medical still Required

Barcelona now consider Ter Stegen’s departure to Ajax to be all but complete after the goalkeeper also gave his approval to the move. However, the transfer will not be officially announced for several more days.

Before the deal can be completed, Ajax want the German international to undergo a comprehensive medical examination in Amsterdam.

Ter Stegen has fully recovered from both his back problems and the hamstring surgery that ended his previous campaign, and he has been declared fit to begin the new season.

Nevertheless, Ajax want to complete a thorough assessment before finalising the agreement.

Michel Played a Key Role

Although Ter Stegen had other offers available, Ajax’s persistence and the arrival of Michel as head coach proved decisive.

The Spanish coach had already pushed strongly to sign the goalkeeper during the January transfer window, bringing him to Girona on loan and immediately making him first choice.

That spell was cut short by a muscle injury, limiting Ter Stegen’s appearances before he missed the remainder of the season and Germany’s World Cup campaign.

Michel played a key role. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

The opportunity to work with Michel again was a major factor in convincing the goalkeeper to choose Ajax.

Barcelona to cover most of the salary

As part of the agreement, Barcelona will continue paying a significant portion of Ter Stegen’s wages because Ajax are unable to absorb the full salary of a player who remains under contract with the Catalan club until 2028.

Barcelona’s hope is that the 34-year-old enjoys an outstanding season in the Netherlands, rebuilds his market value and attracts permanent offers next summer, paving the way for a definitive transfer.