Barcelona are gearing up for their 2025/26 La Liga title defence with controversy swirling in Catalonia.
The Spanish giants are anxiously awaiting an update on Marc-Andre ter Stegen after the Germany international underwent back surgery at the end of July.
Ter Stegen initially took the unexpected step of confirming he would be absent for three months, which would not activate La Liga's loophole on repurposing salary space freed up by injured players, much to the frustration of the club.
A player needs to be ruled out for four months, with that absence verified by La Liga's medical assessors, to trigger an option of utilising 80% of their salary space.
Club president Joan Laporta admitted sales are not completely necessary to facilitate the registrations of Joan Garcia and Marcus Rashford for La Liga, but added the 'Ter Stegen clause' is the most accessible route to completing the final paperwork.
Fermin Lopez has been linked with a move to Manchester United with Marc Casado attracting interest from Atletico Madrid and one major sale would remove the headache over Ter Stegen.
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Despite pressure to sell his No.1, Hansi Flick appears ready to keep his fellow German in place until at least the start of 2026, and the former Bayern Munich head coach is not planning for any more new arrivals.
"I have all the positions doubled, in some cases up to three players," as per Mundo Deportivo.
Flick's short and confident response over his squad plans will fill Barcelona fans with confidence that he can retain three trophies and mount a UEFA Champions League challenge.
Barcelona's 2025/26 squad
Barcelona's opening game of the La Liga campaign is away at Mallorca on Saturday August 16.
| Position | Player | Squad No. |
| GK | Marc-Andre ter Stegen | 1 |
| GK | Inaki Pena | 13 |
| GK | Wojciech Szczesny | 25 |
| GK | Joan Garcia | - |
| DEF | Pau Cubarsi | 2 |
| DEF | Alejandro Balde | 3 |
| DEF | Ronaldo Araujo | 4 |
| DEF | Inigo Martinez | 5 |
| DEF | Andreas Christensen | 15 |
| DEF | Jules Kounde | 23 |
| DEF | Eric Garcia | 24 |
| DEF | Gerard Martin | 35 |
| MID | Gavi | 6 |
| MID | Pedri | 8 |
| MID | Pablo Torre | 14 |
| MID | Fermin Lopez | 16 |
| MID | Marc Casado | 17 |
| MID | Frenkie de Jong | 21 |
| MID | Dani Olmo | 20 |
| MID | Marc Bernal | 28 |
| FWD | Ferran Torres | 7 |
| FWD | Robert Lewandowski | 9 |
| FWD | Raphinha | 11 |
| FWD | Pau Victor | 18 |
| FWD | Lamine Yamal | 10 |
| FWD | Marcus Rashford | 14 |
| FWD | Roony Bardghji | 19 |
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