Barcelona fuming after Marc-Andre ter Stegen reveals surgery decision without informing La Liga champions amid goalkeeper dilemma

On Thursday, the Barca ace confirmed he would be out for around three months due to a back operation but journalist Alex Pintanel claims the club were not given prior notice of his actions and are far from pleased with him. That reportedly gives the Blaugrana a big goalkeeping dilemma ahead of the new season.

The report adds that if Ter Stegen was out for four months, Barcelona would have been allowed to use his salary to register another player, namely fellow keeper and new signing Joan Garcia. With the 33-year-old set to go under the knife, the Catalans are unlikely to be able to sell him this summer and if they are unable to use 80 per cent of his salary to register Garcia or Wojciech Szczesny, that would be the 'worst-case scenario'.

According to Sport, the Germany international, who missed much of last season with a serious knee injury, could be sidelined for up to five months during his recovery from back surgery. That could work to Barca's advantage as they try to sort out their finances and register players for 2025-26.

It remains to be seen what will happen with Ter Stegen, who was projected to be Barcelona's third-choice keeper this season behind Garcia and Szczesny. The German is also hoping to play in next year's World Cup but he may be in a race against time to secure a squad spot.