Marc-André ter Stegen has been one of the pivotal factors behind FC Barcelona’s successes in recent seasons, but his wages haven’t quite reflected that. The shot-stopper is well behind the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Luis Suárez and, of course, Lionel Messi in pay-grade and it seems only natural that he would seek parity with at least the first two.
And so, Ter Stegen is reportedly demanding an annual salary of €15 million in order to sign a new contract, and while there’s no doubt that he’d deserve it in recognition of his importance to the Blaugrana, Barcelona are apparently not in a condition to offer him that much due to their high wage bill and FFP limits.
Barcelona’s contract talks with Marc-Andre ter Stegen have reached deadlock ❌
— Goal News (@GoalNews) March 10, 2020
The Germany goalkeeper wants to become one of the top earners at Camp Nou
✍️ @IgnasiOliva
This could provide an opportunity for other clubs to swoop in for the 27-year-old, whose contract expires in 2022 — at least as far as the rumor mill’s concerned.
Chelsea have been mentioned as one of the clubs interested due to the uncertainty over Kepa Arrizabalaga’s future. However, it’s worth noting that if Chelsea decide to pay what Ter Stegen’s demanding, it would make him the second highest earner at the club after N’Golo Kanté. After breaking the bank for Kepa, perhaps unwisely, it’s far from a foregone conclusion that Chelsea would be willing to even consider investing such big amounts in a goalkeeper once again, however world class he may be or however wise that decision, when gotten right, could prove (see: Alisson at Liverpool).
For now, the overriding belief is still that a compromise and an agreement will be reached at the Camp Nou when contract talks resume at the end of this season. I’d recommend that you delay purchasing a MAtS jersey, at least for the time being.