Marc-André ter Stegen has sparked an unexpected fire within Barcelona's sporting management this week. The German goalkeeper has refused to sign a medical document required to activate a financial operation. His decision seriously complicates the planning of contracts and registrations ahead of the start of the season.
The situation is related to the long-term absence he has had since his back surgery in November. The club intended to free up 80% of his contract in order to register Joan García without needing to sell. To do so, they needed LaLiga to officially validate the extent of the injury with a complete medical report.
That report was prepared and ready to be sent, but Ter Stegen didn't want to sign the required consent. According to sources close to the player, his refusal is due to privacy and data protection concerns. Although he is legally within his rights, the club believes he is breaching contractual obligations.
Barcelona's legal services are already working on the disciplinary file that could result in a financial penalty. The final decision will depend on what the legal team determines and, subsequently, the validation of the board of directors. The tension with the German is real and no one at the club is hiding it anymore.
A recent precedent and a blocked operation
This isn't the first time Barcelona has faced such a case with LaLiga's regulations. Last summer, they used Andreas Christensen's injury to register Dani Olmo without selling players. Back then, the center-back signed without issues and everything was solved quickly.
Now, Ter Stegen's refusal has prevented the same formula from being activated with Joan García, who still doesn't have a contract. The coaching staff believes his registration is urgent given the lack of available goalkeepers. However, the operation depends exclusively on the medical report that LaLiga hasn't received yet.
The club regrets that the player's stance is making such a simple and agreed-upon internal solution difficult. Flick has also been informed of the situation and, although he hasn't made any statements, he doesn't hide his discomfort. The board is considering all options to unlock this paralysis as soon as possible.
In the offices, alternative scenarios are being considered, such as letting Iñaki Peña leave or seeking solutions with other contracts. However, none of them have the immediate impact that would allow the release of the German's salary due to medical leave. That's why the player's refusal has caused so much discontent.
Contractual consequences and possible sanction
Ter Stegen isn't currently injured, but the club believes his recovery hasn't been complete yet. Without LaLiga's medical validation, they can't count his absence as an official long-term leave. Therefore, there is no legal way to register his replacement without sacrificing another contract or sale.
Barcelona insists this is a technical situation, not a personal one, and hopes the player will reconsider his stance. If he doesn't, the corresponding clauses for breaching certain contractual obligations will be applied. The idea is to act firmly, but without creating a bigger conflict with the footballer.
Internally, some board members believe Ter Stegen is sending a clear message about his future at the club. Despite having a contract until 2028, his leadership has lost influence in the locker room over the past few months. This decision only increases doubts about his level of commitment to the project.
For now, everything remains blocked, and Joan García is still waiting for a solution while Ter Stegen keeps his stance. The tension has risen a notch and the file is already underway with all scenarios open. The problem isn't sporting, but it could end up directly affecting the field.