According to reports, recurring injuries to Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s right knee have raised concerns. According to Transfermarkt’s rankings, he is currently the 41st-best goalkeeper in the world, valued at just €15 million. This is while goalkeepers like David Raya, Kobel, and Diogo Costa top the list.

Ter Stegen, Barcelona’s 33-year-old captain, has had inconsistent performances in recent years despite his playing style fitting the club’s philosophy. He has undergone three major surgeries on his right knee: August 2020 (78 days out), May 2021 (103 days out), and recently after a knee tendon tear against Villarreal (over 200 days out). Additionally, back surgery in France kept him sidelined for 86 days. These injuries, along with declining performances in big European matches, have raised doubts about his ability to remain the starting goalkeeper for one of the world’s best teams. Unlike legends like Victor Valdes or Andoni Zubizarreta, Ter Stegen has failed to be the savior in crucial European nights.

Hansi Flick and Deco, Barcelona’s sporting director, must decide whether Ter Stegen can still be the team’s reference goalkeeper. This is a sensitive issue, as Ter Stegen has been at Barcelona since 2014 and has enjoyed high prestige, though this has diminished due to his inconsistent performances.

He has a contract until 2028 and intends to stay at Barcelona, even rejecting offers from Saudi Arabia. However, if Barcelona pursues a young, promising goalkeeper like Juan Garcia, Diogo Costa, or Verbruggen, Ter Stegen’s reaction remains uncertain. In 2016, when he was playing limited minutes, he threatened to leave the club and join Manchester City.

Barcelona recently extended the contracts of two young academy goalkeepers, Kochen and Jakubishvili, until 2028 and offered a renewal to the 35-year-old Inaki Pena. However, the main decision revolves around Ter Stegen. On the other hand, the emergence of Eric Garcia as a backup right-back has reduced the urgent need for a defender, and transfer priorities may now shift towards a left winger and a goalkeeper. This issue will be one of Barcelona’s key challenges in the coming months.