Ter Stegen Injury Throws Girona Loan Plan Into Doubt
Marc Andre ter Stegen’s hopes of securing a January exit from Barcelona have been dealt a major setback after the goalkeeper suffered a fresh knee injury, casting doubt over a proposed loan move designed to revive his international prospects.
The German was forced to withdraw from Barcelona’s Spanish Super Cup squad in Saudi Arabia after picking up the problem during a training session, just as talks over a temporary switch to Girona were gathering pace. While Barca went on to sweep aside Athletic Club 5-0 in the semi final, Ter Stegen was sent back to Catalonia for medical assessments, with his immediate future thrown into uncertainty.
The timing could hardly be worse for the 33 year old. Having only returned to action in December following back surgery, Ter Stegen had identified the January window as a critical opportunity to secure regular minutes after slipping down the pecking order at Camp Nou.
His situation carries added weight due to international considerations. With Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann insisting on consistent club football when selecting his squads, Ter Stegen knows that remaining a backup option would severely damage his chances of featuring in the next World Cup cycle. That reality recently prompted him to soften his long held stance on staying put, opening the door to a loan move for the first time.
Girona quickly emerged as his preferred destination. The appeal was obvious, offering top flight football without uprooting his family and allowing him to stay within Catalonia. From a sporting perspective, it appeared an elegant solution for player and club alike, until his knee problem intervened on the training pitches in Saudi Arabia.
Beyond fitness concerns, the deal is complicated by significant financial obstacles. Barcelona are under intense pressure to reduce their wage bill in line with La Liga regulations, and Ter Stegen remains one of the club’s highest earners. Girona, operating under a far stricter salary structure, are understood to be able to cover only around €1 million of his wages for the rest of the season.
That shortfall would leave Barcelona paying the bulk of his salary while he represents a domestic rival, a scenario that sits uneasily with the club’s broader financial strategy. While there is respect for Ter Stegen’s service since arriving in 2014, the economics of such an arrangement are difficult to justify.
The coming days will be decisive. Medical tests are expected to clarify the extent of the knee injury, with any absence of more than a few weeks likely to end hopes of a January move altogether. Even with a clean bill of health, negotiations would still hinge on Barcelona’s willingness to absorb a substantial financial hit.
For now, Ter Stegen remains stuck in professional limbo. If the transfer collapses, either through injury or economics, he faces the prospect of spending the remainder of the season on the sidelines, a situation that could prove fatal to his international ambitions. What was meant to be a fresh start may yet become a frustrating stalemate at a critical stage of his career.