Lack of opportunities and looming transfer talks pushing Barcelona outcast closer to exit | OneFootball

Inaki Pena’s position at Barcelona has become increasingly complicated, raising concerns about his long-term future at the club.

Despite being under contract until 2026, his reduced playing time and a reportedly strained relationship with head coach Hansi Flick have placed him in a difficult situation.

As things stand, according to AS, the possibility of him leaving next summer appears to be growing stronger.

Barcelona’s goalkeeping plans leave no room

Barcelona have no intention of making any adjustments in their goalkeeping department for the foreseeable future.

The club remains fully committed to Marc-Andre ter Stegen as the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper.

With the German shot-stopper firmly holding his place in the starting lineup, opportunities for Pena to make his mark have been severely limited.

To complicate matters further, Wojciech Szczesny has now entered the picture. The Polish goalkeeper, whose future beyond the current season initially seemed uncertain, is now likely to extend his contract.

Inaki Pena is expected to leave this summer. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

If his renewal goes through, Pena will be forced further down the pecking order. In such a scenario, the young goalkeeper may have no choice but to seek a move away in search of regular playing time.

Interest growing from La Liga clubs

Several clubs have started keeping a close eye on Pena’s situation. While Galatasaray had previously shown interest, the focus has now shifted to La Liga, where Real Betis and Celta Vigo have emerged as potential destinations.

Real Betis maintain a strong working relationship with Barcelona, having recently secured a loan deal for Vitor Roque. They view Pena as a valuable addition who could strengthen their goalkeeping options.

Meanwhile, Celta Vigo are monitoring the situation closely, particularly as they have yet to finalise a contract renewal for veteran goalkeeper Vicente Guaita. If Guaita departs, Pena could become a priority signing for the Galician club.

With Barcelona showing no signs of altering their goalkeeping hierarchy, Pena’s chances of securing a long-term role at the club seem bleak, meaning that a summer exit is the most likely outcome.