Ter Stegen loan to Ajax nears completion as Barcelona plan pre-season without German keeper

Marc-Andre ter Stegen is moving closer to a loan move from Barcelona to Ajax, with the deal progressing to the point where the goalkeeper is unlikely to join Barca’s pre-season training camp.

Barcelona are finalising the last details of the temporary transfer to the Dutch club and an official announcement is expected in the coming days, according to Spanish reports.

The Germany international, 34, is understood to view the proposed agreement positively. As reported by Mundo Deportivo on Wednesday, all indications from the talks suggest a compromise is close that would satisfy both clubs and the player.

Pre-season plans point to imminent exit

With negotiations advancing and optimism high on all sides, Barcelona are not planning for ter Stegen to travel with the squad on Monday morning when they depart for their pre-season base at St George’s Park in Burton upon Trent.

The Catalan club will be based at the English Football Association’s national centre until 3 August as they prepare for the new campaign, but it now appears increasingly unlikely that their long-serving goalkeeper will be part of that group.

Under the current framework of the loan, Ajax would pay no more than 10% of ter Stegen’s salary. The Dutch side have moved for him at the specific request of head coach Michele Sanchez, who has identified the German as a priority target.

Ter Stegen remains under contract at Barcelona until 2028 on a deal that includes rising wages over the coming seasons. In recent years he agreed to defer a portion of his earnings to help the club register new signings, at a time when Barcelona have been unable to operate under La Liga’s 1:1 financial fair play rule.

European registration deadline looming

The timing of the agreement is crucial for Ajax’s European campaign. If the move is completed before 31 July, ter Stegen will be eligible to be registered for the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa Conference League.

Ajax have already taken a major step towards that stage after a 4-1 first-leg victory over Serbian side Vojvodina Novi Sad last Thursday, leaving them strongly placed to progress from the current round ahead of the return fixture next Thursday.

The winners of that tie will go on to face either Shelbourne of the Republic of Ireland or Estonian club Nomme Kalju in the next qualifying round, with Ajax aiming to secure group-stage football in Europe this season.

Domestic opener on the horizon

Away from European considerations, Ajax are also working towards the start of their Eredivisie campaign. They begin their league season on Sunday 9 August with an away match against PEC Zwolle.

For Barcelona, the impending move would temporarily part them from a goalkeeper who has been a central figure at the club for many years, while giving ter Stegen the chance of regular football in both domestic and European competition with Ajax in the coming season.