Dutch club Ajax remains confident in securing a transfer for FC Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen despite unresolved financial disputes between the player and his current club, according to reporting by De Telegraaf, SoccerNews, and VoetbalPrimeur.
Ajax plans to start the upcoming Eredivisie season with Maarten Paes in goal before Ter Stegen potentially takes over the primary role later in the summer.
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"Paes had to be there without being able to get used to the Ajax style. He was very weak on the ball.
But you saw him grow during the season and in the playoffs he was actually the big man," said Mike Verweij, football reporter for De Telegraaf.
"Ajax also has confidence that it can get through the first few weeks well with Paes. After that, Ter Stegen must take over the baton," Verweij added.
Financial Hurdles
Negotiations for Ter Stegen hit a delay over tax adjustments on deferred pandemic-era wages, which increased his total compensation from 20 million euros to 30 million euros for the 2026–2027 season.
The goalkeeper seeks full payment of the back wages, while tax differences between Spain and the Netherlands created a 4.5 percent gap amounting to a significant financial dispute.
"The situation is still as it was.
Ajax agrees with Ter Stegen and FC Barcelona, only in the settlement between Ter Stegen and FC Barcelona it is still not going well.
Nobody wants to comment on it either.
