Barcelona prioritising other matters over 25-year-old star’s contract which ends in 2026 | OneFootball

Barcelona’s management has decided to take a measured approach when it comes to Inaki Pena’s contract renewal, according to Mundo Deportivo.

The club is focused on immediate priorities and assessing the goalkeeper’s performance over the course of the season before making any commitments.

This cautious stance is part of their strategy to evaluate every aspect of the team’s performance and resources before taking major steps.

Pena’s current contract runs until 2026, putting him in a similar situation to other key players like Pedri, Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, and Ronald Araújo, whose contracts also demand attention.

Interestingly, while these players have already received contract offers, Pena’s situation is being treated differently.

Then why not a priority?

Inaki Pena’s contract ends in 2026. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

The club does not view his renewal as an urgent matter, not due to a lack of confidence in his abilities, but because they want to thoroughly assess his contributions over the season.

A critical factor influencing this decision is the ongoing evaluation of Barcelona’s goalkeeping options.

First-choice goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is recovering from a long-term injury, and his condition upon return will significantly impact any decisions regarding the goalkeeping lineup.

Additionally, the club has to consider the performances of other potential options, such as Wojciech Szczesny, and weigh the possibility of bringing in a younger goalkeeper with long-term potential.

Hence, by waiting until the season concludes, they can comprehensively assess how Pena fits into the squad’s future.

This ensures that resources are allocated efficiently and that every decision supports the club’s ambitions to remain competitive on all fronts.

In the end, the club’s decision on Pena’s renewal will depend on how he performs, how Ter Stegen recovers, and the overall composition of their goalkeeping department.