Ajax clinches long‑sought German keeper as Barcelona shoulders wages

German goalkeeper Marc‑Andre ter Stegen’s AFC Ajax loan has been confirmed, with Barcelona agreeing to cover the majority of his wages during the spell. The player is expected to travel to Amsterdam imminently to finalise the move in the next season.

Ajax have long coveted the German goalkeeper. Manager Alfred Michel praised his leadership, composure, distribution and experience at the highest level, qualities the Dutch side have sought for over a year.

The loan gives Michel the chance to work again with a player he admired while coaching Girona. Their previous collaboration adds a personal dimension to the transfer.

This will be Stegen’s second successive loan, after spending the second half of the previous season at Girona. That spell was heavily disrupted by a serious injury early in his tenure.

Although Barcelona and Ajax reached an agreement several days ago, bureaucratic and tax‑related issues delayed the completion of the deal. After weeks of negotiations, the transfer now appears to be in its final stage.

Barcelona will continue paying the majority of Stegen’s wages throughout the loan spell, a departure from earlier suggestions that Ajax would cover only 10 % of the salary. The arrangement means Barcelona retains most of the wage burden and gains little relief on its salary‑space front.

For the German keeper, the loan offers regular playing time at an important stage of his career. Ajax secure a player they have wanted for well over a year, while Barcelona offloads a surplus player but continues to shoulder most of his salary.