Iñaki Peña won't continue at FC Barcelona next season. His intention is to start a new chapter, and in recent months he has attracted interest from several teams in Europe. Although there is no official announcement yet, his departure seems inevitable.
The Alicante goalkeeper has been part of the first team in recent years, but he has never managed to establish himself as a starter. Despite having opportunities, especially when Marc-André ter Stegen has been injured, he hasn't managed to convince the coaching staff. Now, with only one year left on his contract, the club and the player seem to have decided to part ways.
Lack of Prominence and Decision Made
At 26 years old, Iñaki Peña needs minutes and continuity, something he hasn't had at Barça. Hansi Flick doesn't consider him as the main goalkeeper, and the arrival of a new goalkeeper reinforces the idea that his role in the team won't change.
Meanwhile, Barça also doesn't see his continuity as viable. With his contract ending in 2026, the management prefers to sell him now and gain benefits before he can leave without bringing money into the club's coffers. Additionally, there is the possibility of reserving a percentage of a future sale, a common strategy in this type of operation.
Iñaki Peña's future seems to be in LaLiga, although he has received offers from abroad. One of the teams that has shown interest is Galatasaray, where the goalkeeper played on loan in the past. In Türkiye, he left a good impression, and the relationship between both clubs remains positive, which facilitates a possible negotiation.
Despite this, his priority is to stay in Spain. He wants to continue his career in a team where he can have continuity and take on a leading role. In recent weeks, it has been revealed that there is a club that has taken the lead in the race for his signing.
His Destination: The...
The team best positioned to acquire Iñaki Peña is Celta de Vigo. According to El Faro de Vigo, the Galician team is looking for a new starting goalkeeper due to the age of Vicente Guaita, who is already 38 years old.
Celta sees Peña as a market opportunity, as they can sign him at an affordable price with performance guarantees. The relations between both clubs are good, which facilitates the negotiation. Although his market value is around 10 million euros, the operation could be closed for a lower amount, with Barça reserving a percentage in case of a future sale.
Iñaki Peña would view this move favorably. It would allow him to stay in Spain, close to his family, and have the opportunity to be a starter in a First Division team. In the coming weeks, negotiations are expected to advance to finalize his transfer.