German goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen is on the verge of leaving Barcelona to join Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam. While negotiations between both clubs and the player have reached their final stages, a complex tax issue between Spain and the Netherlands is delaying the official announcement.
Barcelona and Ajax Agree on Ter Stegen Deal
According to Radio Catalunya, Barcelona and Ajax finalized the transfer agreement days ago, and personal terms with Ter Stegen are fully locked in. However, a tax-related legal hurdle must be resolved before the deal can be officially closed.
Barcelona believes they have pushed their financial offer to the absolute limit and refuse to make further concessions. The Catalan club is currently waiting for the tax dispute to be resolved by the other parties involved.
Why Ter Stegen Chose Ajax: The Michel and Jordi Cruyff Factor
The German goalkeeper’s decision to join Ajax was heavily influenced by two key figures:
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Michel: The manager—who previously coached Ter Stegen during his stint at Girona—played a pivotal role in convincing him to move to Amsterdam.
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Jordi Cruyff: The former Barcelona figure, now working within Ajax’s sporting management, was crucial in driving the negotiations forward.
For Ter Stegen, the Ajax project offers the best opportunity to secure a guaranteed starting spot outside of Spain, which is vital for his ambition to remain in the German national team picture.
Salary Distribution and Loan Details
Ter Stegen earns a high salary exceeding €10 million per year. Ajax has refused to cover this amount in full and wants its financial contribution to be linked to the goalkeeper’s playing time. Consequently, Barcelona will continue to cover the majority of his wages as they look to permanently offload the player.
The final obstacle lies in the legal mechanism for tax distribution between Spanish and Dutch authorities.
Once this tax issue is cleared, the loan deal running until June 2027 will be finalized. Ter Stegen will then travel to Amsterdam to undergo his medical examination and complete the move.
The goalkeeper had previously spent the second half of the 2025–2026 season on loan at Girona in search of regular playing time ahead of the 2026 World Cup, but an unfortunate injury derailed his plans.
