Barcelona has used the Asian tour as a testing ground to evaluate the performance of its entire squad. Hansi Flick has taken advantage of the friendlies to closely observe his players, assess their adaptation to the playing style, and decide which pieces fit into his renewed project. Among the various analyses, the goalkeeper position has been one of the areas where the clearest decisions have been made.
Knowing that Marc-André ter Stegen raises doubts at the club and will be sidelined for a considerable time, the German coach believes the starting goalkeeper must provide more than just continuity. He is looking for a profile capable of generating real competition and, if necessary, performing at a very high level. This criterion has marked a change of direction in the club's planning for next season.
A decision that marks a farewell
In this new scenario, the main casualty is Iñaki Peña. The Alicante-born goalkeeper, who had served as Ter Stegen's backup in recent seasons, did not play a single minute on the Asian tour. This detail has not gone unnoticed and confirms that Flick doesn't count on him for the coming season.
The decision is firm and the message is clear: he must look for a new destination. Barça is willing to facilitate his departure, either through a sale or a loan, with the aim of freeing up his spot and opening the door to other options. The names competing for that position are Wojciech Szczesny and Joan García, with the latter as the favorite.
Open market, alternatives in play
Iñaki Peña's camp is already working to find him a team, and there is no shortage of interested parties.Several La Liga and foreign clubs have shown interest in the goalkeeper. Although he has not established himself at Barça, he has shown reliability when he has had to defend the goal.
His profile fits teams seeking security and experience without major investments. Peña's departure will mark the beginning of a new era in the culé goal. Flick wants to have every position covered with footballers who fit his vision, and the change in goal is key to that plan.