Barcelona captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen remains at the centre of storm of controversy.
The Germany international did not join Hansi Flick's squad for their preseason tour of Japan and South Korea and he will also miss the start of the La Liga campaign due to injury.
The 32-year-old has been the undisputed No.1 at Barcelona since 2016, but his ongoing role has been called into question, after missing the majority of the 2024/25 season with a severe knee injury.
His previous absence triggered an unexpected move from Flick to bring Wojciech Szczesny out of retirement as a free agent and the Polish veteran helped the club seal a domestic treble of La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de Espana.
Ter Stegen had looked assured of returning to first-choice duties, after coming back to full fitness in May, but the summer arrival of Joan Garcia has thrown that into doubt amid growing rumours of the club looking to sell him.
With Ter Stegen under contract until 2028, the Barcelona hierarchy are confident of securing a high price for his services, but the player himself wants to remain in Catalonia.
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The situation has now taken a fresh twist, with Barcelona confirming Ter Stegen has undergone surgery on a troublesome back problem, which will keep him out for a period of time.
Ter Stegen's absence has also caused friction, as he previously stated he would be out for three months, but the club have not confirmed a return date.
One of the reasons for the lack of clarity is Barcelona's potential to utilise a La Liga rule which allows 80% of a player's salary to be repurposed for a replacement/new signing - but only if they are confirmed as out for four months or more - a scenario Barcelona used to sign Szczesny in 2024.
If that can be repeated, Barcelona will have the flexibility to register Garcia, but Ter Stegen is rumoured to irked by perceived attempts to sell him.
Flick has admitted he could take the captaincy away from his fellow German, and national team boss Julian Nagelsmann has now weighed into the saga, with an update on Ter Stegen's status for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
"I have excellent communication with him, he knows the situation very well and can assess it correctly.
"He's our starting goalkeeper when he's healthy and when he's the club's No.1, that's no different than any other player."
Nagelsmann's No.1 remark outlines the need for Ter Stegen to be first choice - either at Barcelona or elsewhere - to maintain his spot with Germany as their qualification campaign kicks off in September.
Galatasaray have registered an interest in Ter Stegen but any exit package will now be heavily impacted by his injury recovery.
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