FC Barcelona Captain Ter Stegen Reportedly Agrees To Leave Club

FC Barcelona captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen has agreed to leave the club and join Girona on loan according to SER Catalunya journalist Nil Sola and transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano, who both cited anonymous sources.

Romano explained that Barca’s Catalan neighbours are closing in on a deal to sign the German until the end of the current season, with Ter Stegen, who has been with his current employers since 2014, agreeing to head northeast.

There are some details to clarify with Barca regarding the deal, which are most probably related to how his salary will be split.

Yet Girona is hopeful of getting everything completed next week, and the current window closing on January 31 means there is still considerable time to get the transfer over the line.

Sola adds that Ter Stegen will forfeit some of his pay to make the move happen while Girona will pick as much of the tab up as it can.

In general, however, the deal is said to be “very advanced” with Ter Stegen keen to get first team football as a way of making his way into German national team coach Julien Nagelsmann’s World Cup plans this summer.

Also hoping to head to the tournament held in North America is Ter Stegen’s positional rival Joan Garcia.

The former Espanyol ‘keeper is yet to be capped at international level, but his excellent performances since arriving at Barca before the start of the season have left Ter Stegen frozen out of the fold since returning from a serious injury which kept sidelined for most of 2024/2025.

FC Barcelona coach Hansi Flick is a fan of Joan Garcia

Hailing him one of “the best in the world” after a masterclass against former club Espanyol at the turn of 2026, Blaugrana head coach Hansi Flick is a clear fan of Joan Garcia.

This week, it was perhaps Flick’s snubbing of Ter Stegen for a Copa del Rey last 16 away tie at Racing Santander which led the skipper to seek pastures new, as second and third string choices are usually used in the competition.

Flick warned in a press conference that Joan Garcia would start for FC Barcelona, and kept his word as the youngster kept a clean sheet in a 2-0 win.

Ter Stegen leaving FC Barcelona works for both parties

If Ter Stegen’s transfer is confirmed it works for both parties. While the player will get the playing time he seeks and won’t have to leave Catalonia to do so, FC Barcelona can also get some breathing space in terms of Financial Fair Play and take part of his salary off the books.