TRANSFERS
SUMMER MARKET: Iñaki Peña looking for a team in LaLiga, but does not rule out returning to Turkey
Published New:18/05/2025 - 01:59h
Updated New:18/05/2025 - 01:59h
Iñaki Peña's days at Barça are numbered. Will the 'Culés' be able to receive a considerable sum for his transfer?
Iñaki Peña is one of FC Barcelona's definite discards for the upcoming season. With Marc-André ter Stegen back in the 'Azulgrana' goal and Wojciech Szczesny about to renew for another year, the Alicante native has no chance to fight for a starting position in the team managed by Hansi Flick.
The coach had no doubts in confirming him as the starter after 'Tek's' signing in October, but ultimately opted for the Polish player in the second half of the season. A very wise decision, as the performance of the '25' was decisive for Barça to win the local treble (League, Cup, and Champions League).
In 22 appearances, Iñaki conceded 25 goals (18 of them in the League) and was only able to keep a clean sheet on 6 occasions. Currently, Celta de Vigo is one of the most interested in signing him, which should leave an amount close to 10 million euros in the 'Culés' coffers.
💶Iñaki Peña's contract: a headache for Barça?
However, there is a factor that works against Barcelona's interests. The Alicante native will enter the last year of his contract next season, which means that teams interested in his transfer will offer a lower price.
The Spanish goalkeeper's market value is 10 'kilos', and for the moment, the youth player does not seem willing to renew with the club to ensure a higher transfer fee.
His priority is to leave in the summer, so he will try to find a team as soon as possible to fight for a starting position in his next destination. The '13' was in Barça Atlètic until the end of 2021, before going on loan in the winter market.
🔜The Turkish league, a viable option for Iñaki Peña
In that sense, the 'Azulgrana' youth player also has the possibility of returning to the Turkish league or even trying his luck in another European country. The 26-year-old goalkeeper played six months on loan at Galatasaray in 2022, conceding 11 goals in 8 matches.
During his time with the Ottoman team, he had to face Barça in the Europa League, completing two outstanding performances in the round of 16 tie. The 'Culés' won 1-2 in the first leg in Istanbul and drew goalless in the return leg at Camp Nou.
Peña returned in 22/23, a season in which he barely played 5 matches (conceded 5 goals). The previous season, after Ter Stegen's injury, he took charge of the 'Azulgrana' goal in 17 matches in which he conceded 32 goals. In total, he has accumulated 64 appearances with the first team of Barça, with an average of 1.45 goals conceded per match.
⚽Iñaki Peña's records in 24/25 with Barça:
- Matches played: 22 (2 as a substitute)
- Goals conceded: 25 (1.13 per match)
- Clean sheets: 6
- Warnings: 1
🥅Iñaki Peña runs out of room in the Barça squad
With the return of Ter Stegen and the imminent renewal of Wojciech Szczesny, the Alicante native is clear about the need to look for a team for the next season. The Polish player has performed at a superlative level this 2025, with 14 clean sheets in 30 appearances, and it cannot be ruled out that he could win the position from the German.
The '1', however, will be the first option from the start of the preseason, as long as he manages to recover the solidity that characterizes him. Ter Stegen is the first 'Azulgrana' captain, and Hansi Flick is a coach who is very respectful of hierarchies, although he prioritizes the moment of each member of the squad to define their role in the team.
In that sense, 'Tek' will have good chances of being a starter at the beginning of 25/26 if Marc-André leaves doubts in his first appearances of the summer. The '25' knew how to wait for his moment in the current season and ended up winning the position from an Iñaki Peña who, in December, was still indisputable for the coach.
Afterwards, in January, everything changed after the Spanish Super Cup. The Spanish goalkeeper played his last match on January 15 for the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey (5-1). Afterwards, he was a substitute in all competitions, and in the last two League matches, it is most likely that Ter Stegen will be the starter, as he was against Valladolid.
- 📌How much money do you think Barça should ask for Iñaki Peña? Don't miss all the latest news from the 'Azulgrana' summer market in FCBN!
