FC Barcelona has decided that it will let a first team star previously thought of as “untouchable” leave for free this summer according to AS, which cited anonymous sources.

Joan Garcia is the new kid on the block, with his transfer from cross town rivals Espanyol announced on Wednesday ahead of a six-year contract being penned at the Joan Gamper CT approaching the weekend.

Even before Barca paid the 2024/2025 breakout star’s $28.8 million (€25 million) release clause, there was talk that Garcia’s arrival would mean captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen is forced out of the club, which the latter claimed ignorance about when invited to address the topic while on international duty with Germany.

“No one has told me about this, so I don’t know the situation. I’m not worried. I know that I will be at Barcelona next season,” Ter Stegen confidently stated, with regards to possibly being shown the door.

“If I remember correctly, and if no news has happened in the last few hours, we only have two goalkeepers for next season, Inaki [Pena] and me… So, basically, we have competition for this position, and it’s between Inaki and me. Whoever comes in, always has to, no matter what, deal with this competition: any player, in any position, has to deal with that,” he added.

Amid reports of pending showdown talks, Sporting Director Deco threw shade at Ter Stegen on Sunday by telling La Vanguardia he doesn’t owe him an explanation.

“I don’t have to talk to him. My obligation is to make the best possible team for the coach. This is not my business. In addition to that, there is no contract in which it says that you are going to play. From here it is the coach who makes his decisions, and each player then has his ambitions,” Deco explained to the Catalan newspaper.

According to AS, though, there will indeed be some sort of face-to-face chat between manager Hansi Flick and his compatriot Ter Stegen, which will probably be a few days before the first team’s preseason training starts on July 13.

When it comes to potentially offloading the Champions League winner, however, Barca reportedly won’t ask for any money for his transfer which could go directly to Ter Stegen because the club owes him deferred pay.

As had already been said, though, Ter Stegen is under no obligation to move anywhere just yet given he has a contract until mid-2028.

Despite missing most of 2024/2025 through injury, FC Barcelona goalkeeper Ter Stegen has fallen from grace. Previously dubbed an “untouchable”, he is wanted out of the club by many Culers - at least online - and looks almost certain to be replaced by Garcia as he too steps in Wojciech Szczesny’s shoes as the first choice shotstopper.