When can Barcelona register Joan Garcia using Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s salary?

After a week filled with drama, Barcelona star Marc-Andre ter Stegen has given the green light for his medical report to be sent to La Liga, following which he has even been reinstated as club captain.

Now, the countdown begins to determine when Barcelona can register a new player by using a percentage of the German’s salary. This percentage depends on the estimated time the goalkeeper will be sidelined.

The first steps

According to Mundo Deportivo, the first step is for Barcelona to send the medical report to La Liga. They are still within the timeframe set out in Article 107 of La Liga’s Budget Regulations, which states:

“The injury and/or serious long-term illness of the player, its disabling nature and its estimated duration must be certified by the corresponding favourable medical report issued by LaLiga’s Medical Commission.

“This report must be requested by the Club/SAD within 25 calendar days from the date the injury occurred or the serious long-term illness was diagnosed.”

Ter Stegen underwent surgery again on 29 July, so Barça are still within the 25-day timeframe.

Once the report is submitted, the decision lies with La Liga’s Medical Commission, made up of four experienced orthopaedic specialists: Dr Fernandez Jaen, Baro Pazos, Perez San Roque, and Ardevol – the latter abstaining due to past links with Barcelona.

If all members agree, La Liga will automatically authorise the club to register a replacement. If any member issues an unfavourable opinion, a meeting will be held to reach a final decision.

Upon receiving approval, Barça have 20 calendar days to complete the registration.

How much percentage of Ter Stegen’s salary can Barcelona use?

Ter Stegen has given his authorisation for the medical report. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

The length of Ter Stegen’s absence will determine the percentage of his salary Barcelona can use to register another player – in this case, Joan Garcia.

Under normal conditions, when the absence is longer than four months, the regulation stipulates that Barcelona can use 80% of Ter Stegen’s salary to register Joan Garcia.

However, the regulation also states that the maximum excess amount shall be reduced by 50% if the registration of the replacement player is requested before the end of the summer transfer window.

However, the percentage can revert to 80% if the Medical Commission rules that the injury will cause incapacity for five months or more.

At this point, if the ruling states the injury will last five months or more, Barcelona could use 80% of Ter Stegen’s salary (about €9.6 million of his €12 million annual wage).

If the ruling estimates an absence of up to four months, the Catalans would be entitled to use 50% of that sum (approximately €4.8 million).

However, if Ter Stegen returns earlier than the estimated period, Barcelona risk severe penalties.