Ajax's 15% salary ceiling tests Ter Stegen's move to Amsterdam

Ajax can only cover up to 15% of German goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen's current FC Barcelona wages, a figure that now defines the final stages of his prospective transfer to the Dutch capital, with the player awaiting the Catalan club's clearance later today.

Ter Stegen has returned from his holiday and is reportedly in FC Barcelona to complete the paperwork for the move. He already signed a personal agreement with Ajax and now awaits official permission from the Catalan side.

The transfer would reunite the goalkeeper with coach Míchel in Amsterdam, where the Dutch club awaits his arrival. Míchel previously oversaw Ter Stegen's development while the German was on loan at Girona.

The most pressing obstacle is the division of Ter Stegen's salary. Ajax is said to be able to shoulder no more than fifteen percent of the German's current earnings.

FC Barcelona appears prepared to continue covering the bulk of the wages, paving the way for a possible loan arrangement. This financial split would allow the Dutch side to secure the player without bearing his full salary burden.

Such salary‑sharing deals are becoming increasingly common as clubs grapple with inflated wage bills. Barcelona's willingness to subsidise reflects a broader trend of elite clubs facilitating moves by retaining financial responsibility. For Ajax, the arrangement could be a decisive factor in completing the transfer.