No Exit for Ter Stegen: Why the Girona Loan Talk Falters and Barcelona Keeps Faith
2 January 2026
A Keeper's Dilemma: Ter Stegen, Girona, and the Loan Talk
Marc-André ter Stegen has remained firm at the start of the season, despite losing his starting spot in Barcelona’s goal to Juan García.
The German goalkeeper, who returned in December after recovering from a back surgery that kept him out for four months, does not see his future away from Barcelona for personal reasons.
Ter Stegen has told the club's sports management clearly: his contract runs through 2028, and he is committed to seeing it out. This stance did not bend even in tough moments, such as when he temporarily lost the captain’s armband after refusing to sign the medical report required by La Liga following his surgery.
Despite being the backup behind the former Espanyol keeper, and in a pecking order behind others, the idea of leaving had never been on the table.
According to Sport, he does not want to hear about any offers from the English Premier League or Turkey.
In this context, a loan to Girona through the end of the season emerged as a middle-ground option: it would allow him to stay near home and play regularly.
Yet this path hit a financial obstacle: Girona would need to sell players in the winter window to contribute toward the keeper’s salary—a prerequisite for Barça's approval.
Apart from money, the real reluctance was tactical. The German had never imagined Girona as a plausible destination, especially since he had outlined a World Cup plan with Germany, working with sports director Rudi Völler and coach Julian Nagelsmann.
The plan involved staying in Barcelona even if he wouldn’t play regularly in La Liga or the Champions League, serving as first-choice for the Spanish Super Cup and Copa del Rey, with a few national team appearances, and perhaps some late-season league matches.
However, this plan took a hit when Flick decided to give García the starting role for the Super Cup in Jeddah.
For now, it seems unlikely this decision will change Ter Stegen’s mind; he would prefer to play in the Copa del Rey for Barcelona if given the chance, rather than join Girona, especially given the team’s precarious fight against relegation.
Punchline: If staying at Barca were a transfer, Ter Stegen would win the contract-longest award, no negotiations needed.
Punchline: And if the saga had a sponsor, it would be “Stay Put Insurance”—because this goalkeeper isn’t going anywhere soon.
