Barcelona ready to pay captain’s one-year salary, waive off transfer fee to facilitate exit | OneFootball

FC Barcelona will announce their first signing of the summer this coming week: Joan Garcia. The Catalans will sign him by activating his €25 million release clause, with a contract agreement already agreed.

Once his signing is confirmed, Barcelona will shift focus to resolving captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s future.

With Wojciech Szczesny set to renew, the La Liga champions are unwilling and financially unable to retain three high-profile goalkeepers. This is especially relevant given Ter Stegen’s high salary.

Exit proposal on the table

According to SPORT, Barcelona plan to offer Ter Stegen the full salary for the upcoming season in exchange for him accepting a free transfer, allowing him to negotiate his next move independently.

The sporting department is prepared to forego any transfer fee, believing that pushing for one would only prolong the situation unnecessarily and financially compensate him for terminating the contract, which currently runs until 30 June 2028.

Barcelona are eager to get rid of Ter Stegen. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Although a departure may also benefit Ter Stegen – who needs regular playing time to retain his starting role for Germany at the 2026 World Cup – the club expects resistance.

Based on recent public statements and signals received in Barcelona, there is a strong sense that he does not intend to leave and is prepared to continue competing at the club.

“No one has spoken to me about this, and it’s always difficult to comment on everything. I know I’ll be at Barcelona next year,” he said earlier this month.

But, Barcelona have their plan clear – Garcia to be the No. 1 with Szczesny as the backup choice.

As such, the Blaugrana are now prepared to offer him full pay for the next season and waive off transfer fee so that he accepts a contract termination and can sign the club of his choosing for free.