From First-Choice Keeper to Surplus to Requirements — Ter Stegen's Road to Ajax

FC Barcelona are close to finalizing a loan move for German goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen to Ajax, an agreement expected to be officially announced within days, explaining the 34-year-old's absence from Barcelona's pre-season training camp, set to take place at St George's Park in Birmingham, England, running through 3 August. According to reports, Ajax will cover no more than 10% of ter Stegen's wages, despite his Barcelona contract running until 2028 with an increasing salary structure. The German goalkeeper had previously deferred part of his salary to help the Catalan club comply with La Liga's "1:1" financial fair play rule. Completing the deal before 31 July carries particular significance, as it would allow ter Stegen to be registered on Ajax's squad list for the UEFA Conference League third qualifying round, where the Dutch side face Vojvodina in Thursday's return leg.