Barcelona appear ready to make a significant decision regarding goalkeeper Inaki Pena, as reports from SPORT suggest the club is prepared to part ways with him for financial reasons.
It seems Pena has not managed to earn the trust of manager Hansi Flick, and his exit during the upcoming transfer window is now being seriously considered.
Journalist Luis Miguelsanz has indicated that Barcelona are weighing their options when it comes to Pena’s departure.
Barcelona are open to many outcomes
While the club would prefer to secure a transfer fee by selling him, they are also open to letting him leave for free if they can retain a percentage of his future rights.
This approach could potentially benefit Barcelona financially if Pena goes on to succeed at another club.
Interest in Pena’s services is not lacking, with La Liga clubs such as Celta Vigo and Real Betis, along with Turkish giants Galatasaray, all reportedly keeping a close eye on his situation.
These clubs are likely to monitor developments closely as Barcelona continue to evaluate their plans for the young goalkeeper.
Szczesny’s renewal key to this decision
The decision to offload Pena seems heavily influenced by Barcelona’s firm stance on Wojciech Szczesny.
The Polish veteran has already agreed to extend his stay with the Blaugrana for one more year. Szczesny’s decision to continue, coupled with Marc-Andre ter Stegen nearing a return from injury, has left Pena’s future at the club uncertain.
Negotiations to renew Pena’s contract have apparently stalled, making a potential exit even more likely, and with his contract running until 2026, Barcelona are hoping to profit from a sale.
However, the possibility of allowing him to leave for free remains on the table if they can retain a portion of his future rights.
The interest from Celta Vigo, Real Betis, and Galatasaray reflects Pena’s reputation as a capable young goalkeeper with potential. Yet, it is clear that Flick does not see him as a reliable option moving forward.
