At Barcelona, there are quite a few issues to be resolved both on and off the pitch. On the pitch, the Azulgrana team is waiting to seal the league title. At the moment, they are ahead of Real Madrid, whom they beat in an intense Copa del Rey final that was decided in extra time, and with whom they are competing for the domestic championship. On the other hand, after a 3-3 draw at Montjuic in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals against Inter Milan, the tie is wide open and will be decided on Tuesday, May 6, at San Siro. There is a lot to decide if they are to win the treble this season.
Off the pitch, there is also a lot going on within the Barça camp. Deco, the club’s sporting director, has a lot of work to do in the boardroom, both finalizing pending renewals such as those of Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Jules Koundé, as well as resolving the salary cap issue in order to sign the necessary new players.
Without a doubt, the best solution to be able to register players for next season is to let go of expendable players. There are several on the list, but the truth is that the lack of playing time for many of them could complicate matters. One of those with the door open and who also wants to leave is goalkeeper Iñaki Peña.
With the return of Ter Stegen, what will happen to Iñaki Peña?
With Marc André Ter Stegen’s injury, Iñaki Peña became Barça’s starting goalkeeper. Faced with the long-term injury, which occurred back in September, the Azulgrana moved in the transfer market and signed Szczesny, who has now become indispensable for Hansi Flick, relegating Iñaki Peña to ostracism.
This ostracism is even more acute now that Ter Stegen has returned from injury. He started in the match against Real Valladolid, in which the German coach made massive rotations to give players a rest ahead of the decisive match at San Siro just 72 hours later. Szczesny was rested, but it will be very difficult for him to lose his place in the Champions League when the German returns. In La Liga, with the title on track, it may not be the captain’s last start.
What is clear is that with Ter Stegen and Szczesny at 100%, Iñaki Peña is surplus to requirements. “I know it’s not the best situation for Iñaki, but that’s football. We’ve talked to the coaches and we’ve made that decision (…) Tek is clearly number one.” Weeks ago, coach Hansi Flick made it clear that without Ter Stegen there was only one option for goal, Szczesny, and with the return of the German goalkeeper, there are even fewer chances for the Spanish goalkeeper.
He has not played a single minute in three months and his future at the Blaugrana club has been sealed. Barça knows that there are suitors both inside and outside LaLiga and hopes to receive offers of around €10-15 million to finalize his departure, provided that the Alicante-born player renews his contract. His current contract runs until 2026, a factor that will determine the price that Barça could ask for his transfer.
Sevilla interested
Several media outlets have reported in recent days that Victor Orta has set his sights on the Alicante-born goalkeeper to strengthen Sevilla’s goalkeeping department. The player would be more than open to a change of scenery that would offer him the opportunity to relaunch his career. Sevilla is looking for a goalkeeper with experience and potential for growth, and at 26, Iñaki Peña fits the bill.