The goalkeeper Inaki Pena
Inaki Pena is one of many Barcelona players staring at an uncertain future at the club. The goalkeeper’s current deal at the club expires at the end of the season, even though the player only returned from his loan spell from Galatasaray in the summer.
Pena’s situation at Camp Nou has alerted a host of clubs across Europe, with many of them hoping to secure his services on a free transfer in 2023.
However, Barcelona have no intention to see their goalkeeper leave the club for free at the end of the season. As such, they are keen on extending the contract of the 23-year-old, who is regarded as the primary alternative for Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
According to Josep Capdevila, Barça have already kickstarted their plans to renew the contract of Pena. They have lodged their first formal contract offer to the goalkeeper, and it appears the negotiations between the club and the player are open.
Pena, though, remains calm in dealing with the situation and is in no hurry to make a decision. This is hardly surprising given the fact that the Spaniard has not been able to make much of an impact at Camp Nou this season.
With ter Stegen emerging as one of the best-performing goalkeepers in Europe this season, it has become difficult for Pena to start matches for Barcelona.
In fact, the young goalkeeper has mustered only one appearance in all competitions this season, which, too, came in the final UEFA Champions League dead-rubber against Viktoria Plzen.
Given the form ter Stegen is in, it is unlikely Pena will be able to make waves at Camp Nou anytime soon. Not to mention, the 23-year-old La Masia graduate is also facing competition Arnau Tenas, another young goalkeeper looking to make his mark in the senior side.
[Source: barcauniversal.com]