Barcelona injury news: Marc-Andre ter Stegen surgery could help Catalan giants register Joan Garcia

Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is reportedly considering undergoing a back operation.

Ter Stegen's future at Camp Nou is currently the subject of much speculation, with the Catalan giants signing Joan Garcia from Espanyol during this summer's transfer window, and he is expected to be the club's number one next term.

The Germany international has been heavily linked with an exit in recent weeks, having allegedly been told by Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick that he will not be the number one goalkeeper next season.

However, Ter Stegen's chances of leaving Barcelona this summer could be ended by an operation.

According to Jijantes, the 33-year-old has been battling a back issue in recent weeks, and both the player and Barcelona are currently discussing the best course of treatment.

Barcelona goalkeeper Ter Stegen 'considering back operation'

The report claims that surgery would likely keep Ter Stegen out for four months, meaning that the speculation surrounding his future would be on hold until the January transfer window.

Ter Stegen has allegedly not been training with his teammates since their return to pre-season, and a final decision is expected to be made next week, but the feeling is that surgery will be chosen.

As it stands, the experienced goalkeeper will not travel with Barcelona on their pre-season tour of Asia, which will see Flick's team take on Vissel Kobe and Daegu FC on July 31 and August 4 respectively.

Ter Stegen surgery could help Barcelona register Garcia

Barcelona's financial issues are still present, and as it stands, they will struggle to register Garcia.

However, in theory, if Ter Stegen is out for four months, then the club may not register him for the first part of the season, creating space in their budget to register Garcia.

Andreas Christensen was not registered for the first part of last season due to his injury, allowing Dani Olmo and Pau Victor to be registered, so it is a tactic that Barcelona have used before.

As well as Garcia, Barcelona also have Wojciech Szczesny at the club, with the experienced goalkeeper recently signing a new contract until the summer of 2027.

Szczesny performed impressively last season after Ter Stegen's injury, with the latter only making nine appearances during the 2024-25 campaign due to a serious knee problem that he suffered in September 2024.