Reports: Ter Stegen to be stripped of Barcelona captaincy

Barcelona reportedly want to strip goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen of the team captaincy in what would be the latest twist in the saga on his future at the Spanish top club.

Daily Sport and news portal 3Cat reported on Thursday that Barça leaders have tasked coach Hansi Flick with informing ter Stegen of the measure.

The reports said the decision came after the German international refused to give his consent to medical data being passed on to the Spanish league. Barça have also opened disciplinary proceedings against him over the matter.

Ter Stegen was reportedly at the club's training centre on Thursday but did not comment.

Ter Stegen is sidelined after recently under going back surgery. He said on social media that he will be sidelined for around three months.

Barça have not said how how long he will be absent. Without the medical report the league can't determine whether he is out long enough to allow the club to register other players. It is believed that ter Stegen was aware of this when he spoke of three months.

For this reason, financially struggling Barça have been unable to register newly signed goalkeeper Joan Garcia and back-up Wojchiech Szczesny, who has renewed his contract. The Spanish league starts on August 15.

Barça want to demote ter Stegen, who has been at the club since 2014, from first to third choice after the arrival of Garcia. A sale, despite a contract until 2028, would save them his big salary but that appears unlikely in this transfer period due to the injury.

Looking at the captaincy, daily Mundo Deportivo said that the team, which traditionally has a saying on this issue, is backing ter Stegen.

It was not clear whether there had been a team vote, and also whether club bosses could override such a vote.