At Barça, they are very clear that next summer will mean significant changes in goal. The club has decided that it will not continue with the same duo that started the season: Marc-André ter Stegen and Iñaki Peña.
Performance, circumstances, and market opportunities have pushed Barça to make decisions in one of the team's most delicate positions. What is clear is that there will be movements, and the goalkeeping position will undergo a renewal for the next season.
Iñaki Peña Will Leave at the End of the Season
One of the most evident changes is the departure of Iñaki Peña. The young goalkeeper, who was theoretically Ter Stegen's reliable backup, has not managed to convince when he had to take on responsibilities. Even with the German's absence due to injury, Iñaki has not secured the starting position, which has been a hard blow for him.
In his place, the club decided to bring in Szczesny, who arrived on a free transfer and quickly secured the starting position, definitively displacing Iñaki. The situation is clear: Iñaki knows he has no place at Barça and is already looking for a destination for the next season. His departure in the summer is practically a fact, and the club will not hinder his exit.
Joan Garcia Is the Most Liked Goalkeeper
With Iñaki's imminent departure, Barça has considered signing a young goalkeeper who can complement Ter Stegen. The most liked name is Joan Garcia, the current Espanyol goalkeeper, who is having a great season. Joan has an active contract, and his release clause is 30M euros, a significant but manageable amount if his signing is prioritized.
However, the operation will not be easy. Espanyol is not willing to let him go, and Barça is studying whether it is worth making an outlay for a young goalkeeper, considering they already have two goalkeepers. Even so, Joan Garcia remains in Barça's orbit, and everything will depend on how the market moves and if any last-minute opportunity arises to facilitate the operation.
Barça Will Sign a One-Year Contract with the Goalkeeper Who Will Compete with Ter Stegen
Despite the interest in Joan, the reality is that at Barça, the option of not signing any goalkeeper this summer is gaining strength. The club believes that the goalkeeping position is covered with Ter Stegen and Szczesny, and they are working on renewing the Pole for one more season. Szczesny has fit into the dynamics, and his performance has been remarkable, so the sports management is betting on keeping him as the second option.
This way, Barça would close the goalkeeping chapter with a reliable duo without needing to make any market outlay. Ter Stegen will remain the undisputed starting goalkeeper, with Szczesny as his loyal backup. The Pole's experience and commitment to the club have convinced everyone, and his continuity will allow the club to focus its resources on strengthening other more needed positions.