Ter Stegen set to leave Barcelona pre-season camp to finalise Ajax loan move | OneFootball

It has taken a very long time, but it does feel like Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s time at Barcelona is coming to an end, at least on a temporary basis.

Ajax have been in talks with the German shot-stopper to try to sign him on loan for some time now, but tax issues have held up the deal.

Barcelona were desperately hoping for the deal to go through to help them with their squad planning, and it looks like all issues have been sorted out now.

Ter Stegen set for Ajax loan

According to Nil Sola on Cadena SER, Ter Stegen is set to travel to Amsterdam to complete the next stage of the process.

Ter Stegen will miss Barcelona’s training session and fly to Amsterdam later today. This is the first definitive sign that the transfer is in its final lap.

On his way out. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Barcelona to cover 90% salary

Another significant development has emerged regarding the financial structure of the deal.

Indeed, according to RAC1, Barcelona have agreed to pay 90% of Ter Stegen’s wages during the loan spell, a compromise that has helped remove one of the final obstacles to the move.

For Barcelona, the loan represents a practical outcome in what has become a difficult situation.

Ter Stegen remains one of the club’s most respected figures, but the goalkeeping hierarchy has changed under Hansi Flick.

He may have been the club captain, but the German was firmly behind both Joan Garcia and Szczesny in the pecking order for Flick.

For someone looking to return to his best level, ter Stegen would have found no game time at Barça, and the loan certainly helps him out.

Not an ideal arrangement

Ajax move nears. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Covering such a large share of his salary is far from ideal financially, but it may have been the price required to secure a solution that suits all parties.

If Ter Stegen’s trip to Amsterdam goes as expected, the transfer could move quickly towards completion.

In the Netherlands, Ter Stegen has a chance to reunite with Michel, who has taken over Ajax, and he is likely to be an important player for them.

As long as the German is able to maintain his fitness, Ajax are likely to make him their starter and one of the leaders of the team.

Barcelona may not be getting much financial leeway out of Ter Stegen’s transfer, but this is a deal that had to happen.

This will now allow Deco and company to focus on squad planning without worrying about the future of their estranged club captain.