Now 33, last summer team-mates voted for him to be Barca’s captain for 2024-25, but a knee injury suffered in September meant he spent much of the campaign recovering. Free agent Wojciech ‘Tek’ Szczesny was signed in response and the 35-year-old saw out the season between the sticks as Barca won La Liga and the Copa del Rey.

Barcelona appear to be delighted to have received the green light for a move for goalkeeper Joan Garcia, who has a €25m release clause at rivals Espanyol. That appeared to be the most difficult

Andre ter Stegen is reportedly angry about developments in the goalkeeping department and wants an explanation from the club.