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 absence. In the case of the Spanish goalkeeper, his contract ends in 2026 and there are constant rumors about his departure.
Szczesny, a wall
Szczesny has 11 clean sheets, but not consecutively. That honor belongs to Víctor Valdés with 11 consecutive clean sheets. In domestic competition Tek has accumulated 5 clean sheets in 10 games played as starting goalkeeper in La Liga, with 6 goals conceded. In the Champions League he has 2 games out of 5 without conceding, with 7 goals against, while in the Copa del Rey he has conceded 4 goals in 4 games, with another 3 clean sheets.
Of course, his arrival as an undisputed starter coincides with Barça’s unbeaten streak, so beyond the clean sheets, with the Pole in goal, the Barça team doesn’t know what it’s like to lose. Will he last the rest of the season undefeated?
Flick’s doubt
With these statistics, it is normal that the possible return in May of Marc André Ter Stegen puts Hansi Flick in a bind. The injury of Marc-André Ter Stegen came as a shock to FC Barcelona, who had to scramble to find a replacement, such as Szczesny, who has had the confidence of Hansi Flick in recent months.
Now, six months later, the return of the German goalkeeper is approaching. FC Barcelona coach Hansi Flick was asked a few days ago about his plans for the future of the goal when the theoretical first-choice goalkeeper returns to competition, but, in his usual style, the German coach did not want to anticipate events and preferred to play it cool.
“We’ll see: step by step. When he’s better, we’ll see what happens. Now is not the time to make a decision or say anything. We have to focus on today and we have time. The good news is that everything is going well with Marc and we are happy that he is at this stage. We’ll see what happens.”
New candidate in LaLiga
Deco is already working to get a reinforcement for 2026 in that position. The sporting director wants to sign a goalkeeper as a replacement for Szczesny and with the possibility of signing a second one depending on the situation with Ter Stegen.
A new name has emerged from the list of options. According to ‘Barça Reservat’ on Catalunya Ràdio, it is Álex Remiro. Remiro’s contract with Real Sociedad ends in 2027, but his buy-out clause, now 70 million euros, drops in 2026, making him a more affordable player if the Blaugrana club finally considers his incorporation. The club has spoken with the player’s entourage and the Blaugrana sports director has already seen him play.