FC Barcelona hopes to close the departure of Iñaki Peña soon. The club agreed with the 26-year-old goalkeeper to extend his contract for three more seasons to facilitate his loan departure, after several weeks waiting for an offer that would convince both parties. Elche, according to the latest rumors about the Alicante native, would be his next destination.
Media outlets such as 'Mundo Deportivo' and 'AS' assure that Iñaki would be the goalkeeper chosen by coach Eder Sarabia to compete for the starting position in the Elche goal. The experienced Matías Dituro (38 years old) started against Betis and Atlético (both matches ended 1-1), but the coach wants to incorporate another younger and experienced goalkeeper.
Iñaki Peña doubts his role at Elche: Is the starting position at risk?
In that sense, Peña would be Elche's chosen one to help the team maintain their category in 25/26. The Barça youth player, however, would accept joining a team that does not guarantee him immediate ownership of the starting position. Therefore, the negotiation with the 'franjiverdes' is not yet closed.
The Alicante native has played 45 matches in the last two seasons with the Blaugrana team, taking advantage of the physical problems of Marc-André ter Stegen. In them, he conceded 64 goals (1.42 per game), with a total of 11 clean sheets.
In 24/25, despite the signing of Wojciech Szczesny in October, he managed to retain his place in the lineup until the Spanish Super Cup in January. From mid-January, the Polish player took over the starting position and the then '13' only played again in the last league match against Athletic (0-3).
Understanding that Elche also has Alejandro Iturbe (21 years old) as an alternative for the goal, Iñaki wants to make sure not to take a false step by arriving at the Elche club. In addition to Elche, clubs such as Celta, Galatasaray and Como (Italy) have been mentioned as possible destinations for the goalkeeper, without a negotiation with Barça being finalized.
Barça and Iñaki Peña must close his departure in the summer market now
However, with only one week of the market available, the Alicante native has fewer options and less time to leave a Barça where he has no place due to the presence of 'Tek', Ter Stegen and Joan García.
Barcelona, for its part, also prioritizes his departure, since Hansi Flick has Diego Kochen as the third option for the goal. In addition, Peña's departure will be key to resolving the registration of a Szczesny who has been absent in the first two league games.
Although the Polish goalkeeper's salary is one of the lowest in the squad, having renewed his contract in July (he signed until 2027), the club still does not have enough salary margin to update his file. Gerard Martín and Roony Bardghji are also in a similar situation, both unable to have a subsidiary license due to age and cost, respectively.