Ajax Are Trying to Borrow Marc-André ter Stegen From Barcelona

What’s Happening?

Imagine your favorite kid used to always be picked first for kickball, but now there are two new kids who might get chosen before him. That’s basically what’s happening to Marc-André ter Stegen, a really good soccer goalkeeper who plays for the famous team Barcelona.

Another team called Ajax (pronounced "EYE-ox") is in talks to borrow him for a while. In soccer, "borrowing" a player is called a loan. It’s like when you borrow a book from a friend — you get to use it for a bit, but you still give it back later.

Why Does Ajax Want Him?

Ajax is looking for a new goalkeeper, and they think Ter Stegen could be a great fit! Here’s why:

• He’s played a lot of top-level soccer. He’s been with Barcelona since 2014 — that’s over 10 years!
• He’s won 20 trophies in his 12 seasons at Barcelona, including seven league titles and the Champions League (the biggest prize in European soccer).
• He’s used to playing with style. Ter Stegen is known as a "ball-playing goalkeeper," which means he’s really good with his feet and likes to pass the ball around. This fits perfectly with the patient, possession-based style Ajax’s new coach wants.
• He already knows the coach! Ajax’s head coach, Míchel (whose full name is Miguel Ángel Sánchez Muñoz, but he goes by Míchel), worked briefly with Ter Stegen when they were both at a smaller Spanish team called Girona. They didn’t get to work together much back then because Ter Stegen was hurt, but they liked each other.
• He might actually want to go. Ter Stegen has lost his starting spot at Barcelona to two other goalkeepers, so he’s open to a move.

Why Does Barcelona Want to Lend Him?

• Ter Stegen hasn’t been playing as much this season. He lost his starting spot to Joan García and is now behind Wojciech Szczęsny on the team’s list of goalkeepers.
• He’s 34 years old, and Barcelona seems to be moving in a new direction.

The Big Challenge: Money

The main thing being negotiated right now is Ter Stegen’s salary (the money he gets paid).

Here’s the deal:

• Ajax wants Ter Stegen, but they probably can’t afford to pay all of his salary.
• The good news? Barcelona is willing to keep paying a big chunk of his wages, which makes the deal much more possible for Ajax.
• Ajax submitted their first official proposal on Monday (June 29, 2026).

What Happens Next?

The next step involves two important people:

1. Jordi Cruyff — Ajax’s sporting director (think of him as the team’s "manager of managers" who helps decide which players to get). Fun fact: He used to have the same job at Barcelona! He knows the club well.
2. Deco — Barcelona’s sporting director. He’s the former soccer star who now helps run the club behind the scenes.

These two will have more talks to figure out the details.

Are Other Teams Interested?

Yes! Teams from England, Germany, and Türkiye have also shown interest in signing Ter Stegen. But here’s the key point:

Important: Ajax is currently farthest ahead in the negotiations out of all the interested teams. None of the others are as close to getting a deal done.

Ter Stegen’s Awesome Resume

Just to show you how good this guy is:

Summary

• Ajax is in advanced talks to borrow (loan) Barcelona’s veteran goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen.
• Ter Stegen has lost his starting position at Barcelona and is open to a move.
• Ajax submitted their first official proposal on Monday, and the main discussion is about who pays what part of his salary.
• Barcelona is willing to cover a significant portion of his wages, which is a big advantage for Ajax.
• Ajax’s coach Míchel and Ter Stegen have a brief past connection from their time at Girona.
• Other teams from England, Germany, and Türkiye are interested, but Ajax is the closest to finalizing a deal.
• Ajax’s sporting director Jordi Cruyff and Barcelona’s Deco will lead the next round of talks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does "loan" mean in soccer?
A: A loan is when one team lets another team use one of their players for a set period of time. The player still belongs to the original team and goes back when the loan is over — just like borrowing a library book!

Q: Is Ter Stegen still a good player?
A: Absolutely! He’s one of the most decorated goalkeepers in the world, with 423 appearances and 20 trophies for Barcelona over 12 seasons. He’s just not the first choice at Barcelona anymore.

Q: Why doesn’t Ter Stegen just stay at Barcelona as a backup?
A: He probably wants to play regularly, and sitting on the bench doesn’t give him that. Going to Ajax would let him play more games.

Q: Who is Jordi Cruyff?
A: He’s Ajax’s sporting director — the person who helps decide which players the team should sign. He previously held the same job at Barcelona, so he knows the club really well!

Q: Has this deal been completed?
A: Not yet. Ajax submitted their first official proposal on June 29, 2026, and more talks are expected between the sporting directors of both clubs.