AFC Ajax is on the verge of completing a major signing. Marc-André ter Stegen, the German goalkeeper and Barcelona captain, will travel to Amsterdam on Monday for his medical at the Dutch club. This follows weeks of negotiations over the final terms of his impending loan move to the Eredivisie side.
What happened?
Ter Stegen and Barcelona reached an agreement last week on the conditions of his loan. The deal had been in the works for some time, but was delayed by tax-related issues that the goalkeeper wanted resolved before giving his approval. Barcelona sent an improved proposal, which Ter Stegen accepted after consulting his legal advisors. This has put the transfer into its final phase.
The German international, who is under contract at Barcelona until June 2028, will undergo his medical examination under Ajax head coach Michel. If all goes to plan, the deal will be officially announced early next week. That timing is also crucial for Ajax, as it would allow Ter Stegen to be registered in time for the third qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League.
Why it matters for AFC Ajax
Ter Stegen has been short on game time in Spain. After a back injury last season, he lost his place as Barcelona’s first-choice goalkeeper under Hansi Flick to Joan García. His relationship with the club soured, partly due to disagreements over his recovery timeline. He even temporarily lost the captain’s armband before club president Joan Laporta stepped in to calm the situation.
After recovering, Ter Stegen made just one appearance in the Copa del Rey against Guadalajara before agreeing to a loan move to Girona in search of regular football. His time at Girona was cut short by another injury-a torn hamstring in his left leg-that required surgery after only two appearances. Despite the limited playing time, he impressed Michel, who has since pushed for his signing at Ajax.
Barcelona and Ajax have agreed that the Catalan side will continue to pay more than 80 percent of Ter Stegen’s salary during the loan. For Ajax, timing is key, as the club currently sits fifth in the Eredivisie with 51 points from 30 games and a goal difference of +20. With 23 points still separating them from leaders PSV Eindhoven, every addition counts.
