Barcelona are reportedly planning to remove Marc-André Ter Stegen as team captain as the club gears up for the 2025/26 season.
According to Diario SPORT, the decision comes as the German goalkeeper prepares for a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Ter Stegen is not part of the squad traveling to Asia for Barça’s pre-season tour after opting to undergo back surgery — a procedure expected to keep him out of action for up to three months.
With his absence casting doubt over his leadership presence on the pitch, club officials are now weighing up a change in captaincy to ensure on-field consistency as new head coach Hansi Flickreshapes the squad.
Meanwhile, on the transfer front, Manchester City are closing in on James Trafford, with a medical expected next week. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, City will pay £27 million to Burnley for the young English goalkeeper, who is expected to provide depth behind Ederson at the Etihad.
As Barcelona prepares for a fresh campaign under Flick, leadership reshuffles and strategic reinforcements are clearly top of the agenda at Camp Nou.
