On the pitch, FC Barcelona are offering certainties in the form of good results that keep them in the running in three competitions and with a chance of winning the treble, something they have not always been able to say in recent seasons. However, in contrast, in the offices everything is unknown, both in terms of renewals and possible signings. The economic situation of the Blaugrana is complicated and will once again condition their transfer market. A market in which one of the tasks is to find a man for the goal.
With the injury of Marc-André Ter Stegen, the club has seen the need to find a replacement for the player who, at almost 33 years of age, is recovering from a very serious knee injury after rupturing his patellar tendon. It is difficult to return to the top level after an injury like that. Currently the team has Iñaki Peña and Szczesny, who was signed precisely because of Ter Stegen’s injury. The Spanish goalkeeper’s contract ends in 2026 and there are constant rumors about his departure.
Szczesny is unquestionable
Since Hansi Flick put Szczesny in goal, the Polish goalkeeper’s performance seems to have no limit and his performances, such as the one in the Champions League with 7 key saves, are helping Barça this season in a 2025 to frame with the team undefeated. That is why the club is already working on his renewal for another season.
The goalkeeper has already accumulated seventeen games between the sticks, with a balance of nine clean sheets: Barbastro (0-4), Athletic (0-2), Alavés (1-0), Valencia (0-5), Rayo Vallecano (1-0), Las Palmas (0-2) and Real Sociedad (4-0). Last Wednesday’s Champions League match against Benfica. Osasuna also failed to score last Thursday. Barça have not lost with him: 15 victories and a couple of draws.
Many candidates for a single position
While Szczesny is gaining ground and thinking about his future, Ter Stegen is rushing his return to the pitch and Barça is studying options in the market. In search of an alternative alternative to stand between the sticks in the 2025-2026 season, FC Barcelona has a long list of possibilities with a view to strengthening the team. On that list of possible candidates are names such as Diogo Costa (Porto), Álvaro Valles (Las Palmas) and Mio Backhaus (Werder Bremen).
Joan García is the favorite, but there is a lot of competition for him and he is eyeing up the Premier as Espanyol do not intend to negotiate with the Catalans if they make an offer and would refer to the 30 million euro release clause, something that would be negotiable in other cases.
Bart Verbruggen, another candidate
FC Barcelona is keeping a close eye on the progress of Bart Verbruggen, a goalkeeper who is shining for Brighton and the Netherlands national team. The Catalans could consider signing him for the summer of 2026. According to Sport, Barça’s scouts are keeping a close eye on the progress of the 22-year-old Dutch goalkeeper, who is already a first-team regular for both Brighton and the Netherlands national team.
“His profile fits perfectly with what Barça are looking for: he’s very tall, good between the sticks and he plays very well with his feet. His progress has been amazing and he is sure to be one of the names that will shape the future of the goalkeeper market,” says the aforementioned media outlet.
The player has a contract in force until 2028, so his signing, even if it is planned for next season, will not be easy for a club that cannot afford large financial outlays when signing players.