Marc-Andre ter Stegen could prevent Barcelona from registering new goalkeeper Joan Garcia as Hansi Flick awaits surgery decision

Barcelona may be forced to delay Joan Garcia's registration as Marc-Andre ter Stegen weighs up surgery on a recurring back injury.

  • Ter Stegen weighing up second back surgery
  • Barca could unlock funds via injury exception
  • Joan Garcia’s registration depends on captain’s decision

Marc-Andre ter Stegen could prevent Barcelona from registering new goalkeeper Joan Garcia as Hansi Flick awaits surgery decisionMarc-Andre ter Stegen could prevent Barcelona from registering new goalkeeper Joan Garcia as Hansi Flick awaits surgery decisionMarc-Andre ter Stegen could prevent Barcelona from registering new goalkeeper Joan Garcia as Hansi Flick awaits surgery decision

are waiting on a crucial medical decision from club captain Ter Stegen that could impact their transfer activity. The German goalkeeper is still struggling with recurring lower back problems and could undergo another surgery, which would sideline him for up to four months. The 33-year-old, who previously underwent a similar procedure in December 2023, has not trained during pre-season and is set to miss the club’s tour of and .
With pre-season underway and the La Liga opener approaching, coach Hansi Flick is keen to have clarity over who will be his starting goalkeeper and whether Joan Garcia can be included in the squad.

If Ter Stegen opts for surgery and is ruled out for the long-term, Barca would receive around €2 million in compensation from FIFA and be allowed to use 80 per cent of his annual salary for a replacement under La Liga’s injury exception rule. That would allow the club to register new goalkeeper Garcia, formerly of , who is still awaiting clearance. Barca are currently outside La Liga’s 1:1 rule, meaning they must balance income with outgoing contracts and sponsorships before registering new signings.

Wojciech Szczesny, who recently signed a new deal, is also pending registration but does not qualify under the injury exception rule due to him signing a new contract after his previous one had expired. Barca would need to free up additional funds through sales, sponsorship income, or by activating a new financial lever, such as the VIP box revenue transfer currently under audit by Crowe.

Barca used the same injury exception mechanism last season to register Dani Olmo after Andreas Christensen was ruled out. The club hope to include new VIP seat revenue in the audit to boost their financial fair play margin and allow them to register other players.

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All eyes are now on Ter Stegen’s decision now, if he agrees to surgery, Barca can move quickly to register Garcia for the upcoming campaign. However, if the captain delays or avoids surgery, the club will need to pursue alternate methods to get Garcia and Szczesny on the books. Either way, Barca’s ongoing financial struggles and salary cap limitations will continue to shape their transfer window strategy.