The latest development in the Marc-Andre ter Stegen situation offers a boost for FC Barcelona. The German goalkeeper has now authorised the club to send his medical report to La Liga, setting in motion a formal process that could allow the registration of Joan Garcia using a portion of Ter Stegen’s salary.
However, as highlighted by Mundo Deportivo, the path ahead is far from straightforward. As outlined in Article 107 of La Liga’s Budget Regulations, the first step is to submit the medical report within 25 days of the injury or surgery.
The report must confirm the nature of the injury, its disabling effect, and the expected recovery period, and be approved by La Liga’s Medical Commission. Ter Stegen underwent surgery on July 29, meaning Barcelona remain within the deadline.
The Medical Commission, composed of four trauma specialists, will review the case. If all members agree, approval is automatic; if not, a meeting will be held to reach a final verdict. Once the club receives a favourable ruling, it will have 20 calendar days to register a replacement player.
The percentage of Ter Stegen’s salary available for this depends on his projected absence. If ruled out for more than four months, the club can use up to 80% of his €12 million annual reported salary. For absences of four months or less, the figure drops to 50%.
However, registering a replacement before the summer transfer window closes reduces the percentage to 50%, unless the Commission confirms an expected layoff of five months or more.
Barcelona must proceed with caution. If Ter Stegen returns earlier than the recovery period stated in the medical ruling, the club could face severe penalties — up to three times the salary percentage used.
For now, Ter Stegen’s authorisation is a positive step, but until the Medical Commission issues its verdict, the timing of Joan Garcia’s registration remains uncertain.
