According to a report by Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Ajax is seriously evaluating a summer transfer window move for Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen.
The German international spent the second half of last season on loan at Girona. However, his stint was plagued by bad luck, featuring in just three matches before sustaining a severe injury that required surgery—keeping him sidelined ever since.
Ter Stegen is fully aware that his chances of breaking into the Barcelona starting XI next season are slim, given the club’s absolute reliance on Joan García. Consequently, the veteran keeper has begun exploring departure options, with the Catalan board highly receptive to discussing potential transfer offers.
New Ajax Manager Míchel Eyes Reunion with Ter Stegen Amid Salary Hurdles
The report highlights that Míchel, who has just been appointed as the new head coach of Ajax, is a primary driver behind the move. The Spanish manager holds an excellent relationship with Ter Stegen following their time together at Girona last season.
However, the biggest obstacle to finalizing the deal remains Ter Stegen’s hefty Barcelona salary. Ajax is financially unable to match or come close to his current €10+ million annual wage. Therefore, the German shot-stopper must agree to a massive pay cut for the transfer to materialize.
Race Against Time: Conference League Qualifiers and Inaki Peña Alternative
Ajax is eager to wrap up the deal swiftly. The Dutch giants face an early start to their season with the UEFA Conference League qualifying rounds kicking off on August 6th, and Míchel wants his squad fully finalized by then.
Interestingly, Ter Stegen is not the only Barcelona keeper on Ajax’s radar. Iñaki Peña, who spent last season out on loan at Celta Vigo, is also being heavily linked to the Amsterdam club—a transfer that would present a far less complicated financial operation than Ter Stegen’s.
