According to Ferran Martinez of Mundo Deportivo, the coming week could be crucial for Barcelona with regard to the future of second-choice goalkeeper Inaki Pena.
The 24-year-old La Masia graduate is in the final year of his contract with Barcelona. Towards the end of the last year and early in 2023, it looked certain that the Spaniard will pen a new deal and continue at Camp Nou beyond this season.
However, things have changed over the past couple of months, with negotiations over a renewal coming to a complete standstill.
This is because Pena wants to play regularly, which is not possible currently at Barcelona, thanks to Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s spectacular form.
While the youngster was given a chance in the Catalans’ first two Copa del Rey matches against Intercity and Ceuta, he was out of the lineup versus Real Sociedad, which did not sit down well with him.
Pena wants continuity in the team and has hence informed his agents to listen to other offers. There is unlikely to be a shortage of suitors either, with clubs in Turkey, where he spent the second half of the last season on loan, said to be interested.
Closer to home, some La Liga clubs such as Real Betis have also shown an interest in acquiring Pena’s services for free in the summer.
Barcelona, however, are hoping to convince Pena to stay put at the club, at least for one more year. The Catalans are in a difficult situation heading into the summer window thanks to their Financial Fair Play woes, which will limit their spending power significantly.
Given the situation, they are aware that it would be difficult to find a suitable No. 2 for Ter Stegen like Pena if he leaves. Hence, the Blaugrana hope to convince the 24-year-old Spaniard to stay for at least one more year.
But, in case an agreement over a new deal is not reached, third-choice goalkeeper Arnau Tenas could be promoted to the No. 2 status. The 21-year-old also has a contract that expires this year, but Barcelona retain the option of unilaterally extending it by two more years, which they will trigger.
