The situation that seems to have befallen Barcelona's Marc-Andre ter Stegen isn't new in terms of how football works as a business.
Once a club decides that a member of the playing staff is surplus to requirements, there's rarely a way back into the squad, let alone the starting XI.
Ter Stegen's numbers before his injury were good
As club captain, the German's case is probably a little more surprising, particularly as there seemed to be no warning that Barca were looking elsewhere for a custodian.
Wojciech Szczesny had been an able if not perfect replacement for Ter Stegen during the months he was out of the team with injury, and the idea that the latter would be reinstalled as No.1 post-injury wasn't without foundation.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen passes in LaLiga 2023/24Opta by StatsPerform
With 100% keeper sweeper accuracy, just 27 goals conceded, and a save percentage of 73.5% in 2023/24, there was no reason for Ter Stegen to think that he might be replaced.
He would simply return and have the Polish international as his able deputy.
For reasons that still haven't been explained fully, and could lead to conclusions that Barca's German coach, Hansi Flick, has problems with his countryman, over the summer, the club went all out to land former Arsenal target Joan Garcia.
Garcia was the best keeper in LaLiga in 2024/25
The 24-year-old was acquired from city rivals, Espanyol, in itself a brave move for a keeper who was seen by many as the best in LaLiga during 2024/25.
His 73.7% save percentage (from 146 saves) was the highest of any custodian, and his keeper sweeper accuracy was at 95% (19 successful out of 20 attempts).
There is also the question of projection and age, of course.
Joan Garcia's Stats vs Las PalmasOpta by Stats Perform
Ter Stegen has years of experience and has won multiple titles with the Catalans, including their last Champions League title back in 2015.
He is now 33, and his cycle at the club has turned full circle. At roughly the same age as Garcia is now, Ter Stegen was attempting to usurp the older and more experienced Claudio Bravo and, in the end, that's exactly what happened.
To therefore expect that he might be treated any differently when he's the elder statesman is a little rich.
Lothar Matthaus' broadside at Ter Stegen
Even German football legend Lothar Matthaus has effectively told Ter Stegen to just get on with it.
“In my opinion, Ter Stegen will not play for Barca again. He needs to play to achieve his dream of participating in the World Cup; if he wants to play in the World Cup, he should leave,” he was reported as saying.
“I understand he performed well, was a team captain, and has his life in Barcelona, but he must accept his fate now. The club has other ideas and different plans.
“These are decisions that must be accepted; there’s no need to complain, as this is part of football. There is nothing and nobody bigger than the club.”
Szczesny happy to play second fiddle
Szczesny is even older at 35, however, one suspects that he'll be happier than Ter Stegen to play second fiddle to Garcia. Indeed, signing a new two-year deal merely underscores that position.
So, what's next for the German? At present, all reports point to him digging his heels in and fighting for his place.
In so doing, he could be causing untold harm to the club's ability to register Garcia and other players that may be of interest.
That's because his yearly salary of €6.3 million is considered prohibitive as Barca look to further pull themselves out of financial trouble.
If Ter Stegen wanted a clearer indication that the club consider his future to be elsewhere too, he would have found it immediately upon returning to pre-season training, where he has been working out on his own, away from the main group.
Could Galatasaray come to Ter Stegen's rescue?
Inaki Pena, who had covered for the German with aplomb during previous periods of injury, remains at the club but is said to be open to moving on because of the current situation.
Reports in Turkey suggest that Galatasaray are preparing to offer Ter Stegen an uplift on his current salary to €8 million per year, though there's no indication that the German is in the mood to accept.
Manchester United, known to be looking for a keeper to either replace Andre Onana or at least give him a run for his money, are also mentioned in passing as potential suitors, whilst Inter's apparent interest looks to be nothing more than rumour at this point.
In a World Cup year, it's a very dangerous game of brinksmanship for the German to be playing.
Attitude problem behind club's decision
Whilst his ire at the way he's been treated is completely understandable, it seems abundantly clear that the decision has been made, and Barca's hierarchy and management team are not for turning.
More so because of the keeper's attitude upon returning to the first-team set up after his injury last season.
If anything, a failure to address the crowd, as is customary at the end of the season, particularly in a title-winning campaign, is one of the reasons why the club now believe Ter Stegen isn't the right man for the captaincy, let alone the No.1 jersey.
OyeniyRaphael
12
It is time to accept his fate,d same way bravo pave way for him to become Barcelona number one,he must pave way for d young generations